Residents and officials discuss Route 531 extension options

Residents and officials discuss Route 531 extension options

Brockport is more of a destination than simply a place to drive through on the way to somewhere else, this according to Department of Transportation officials. "We have to take into consideration that Brockport is as much of a point of origin and destination as a through-put," Kevin Bush, DOT's regional design engineer said at a January 10 meeting in Brockport.

Close to 300 people packed the cafeteria at Hill Elementary School to hear plans, updates and cost estimates on the proposed Route 531 Extension project. It's been talked about for years, something one of the audience members pointed out to officials at the conclusion of the meeting, "This is an embarrassment. This has been going on for far too long and nothing, nothing has been done." The project has been in the talking and planning phases for close to 30 years.

Bush pointed out that the DOT has to work with close to one dozen other government agencies including the DEC, New York State Historical Preservation officials, the Army Corps of Engineers and federal agricultural officials to complete a project of this magnitude.

Since the last public meeting in March 2005, officials said they have completed several crucial pieces of work as the project progresses. "We've been working behind the scenes," Bush said. The DOT has: Taken aerial and ground surveys and formed three-dimensional base mapping; continued work on environmental investigations; taken traffic counts; compiled driver's seat surveys in conjunction with SUNY Brockport - the surveys were questionnaires that included questions on travel patterns, where delays were encountered, perceived safety issues and general questions; and gathered updated information from the Major Investment Study.

"One difference in the report is that it was assumed the area would see a two percent growth rate but the DOT is using a one percent growth rate for its travel models," Daniel McCusker, project scoping leader said.

The results of the information gathering is that the DOT has three options:

Do nothing.
Make improvements along the existing Route 31 with a modification of the current terminus from Washington Street to Redman Road. The conceptual estimate on this option is $41 million.
Extend Route 531 as an expressway on a "southern" alignment (south of the Village of Brockport) from Washington Street to Redman Road. This project brings with it a $94 million price tag.

The DOT has an operating budget for this entire DOT region of about $90 million. "We would need to find the money. Right now we have about $6 million set aside for completion of studies," Bush said. "The price tag on this project would be too much to swallow in one year. The alternative would be to implement construction in phases as money became available."

Randy Robb, whose family has farmed on Gallup Road since 1912, questioned what would happen to his land. "The way the project is drawn right now, it would cut my farm in half. It would also give me a piece of land that I wouldn't even be able to get to."

Brian LeSchander, who also lives on Gallup Road said, "The way the project looks it would go right through my house."

An audience member asked what would happen to Route 31 and if any upgrades would be made to the area if the Route 531 extension moved forward. "Anything we do with the expressway would affect the traffic flow on Route 31 but it wouldn't change the fact that the Route 31 corridor needs improvements," Bush said.

Following the meeting, individuals had the opportunity to meet with DOT officials and look at the drawings of the conceptual plans that were taped up around the school.

What's next?
DOT officials will use the comments gathered from the meeting and up until January 31 in their final determination of which alternatives will be studied for the Environmental Impact Statement. Meetings will be held with stakeholders and the general public as the project progresses. The remaining phases of the project will tentatively be completed as follows:

Spring 2008, next public information meeting
Spring 2009, draft environmental impact statement complete
Summer 2009, public hearing
Fall 2009, design alternative approval

Once construction funds are secured, the DOT will purchase property and complete the construction plans. "The final steps could take anywhere from 18 to 24 months to complete," Bush said.

For information contact Kevin Bush or Wesley Alden, project manager, at 272-3306 or e-mail at 531extension@dot.state.ny.us or the website at www.nysdot.gov (go to Finger Lakes on the map, then Monroe County, Projects, Route 531).