NEW DIRECTION
Plan to shift traffic patterns in Uptown gets another look KINGSTON, N.Y. >>
Traffic pattern shifts in Uptown are not a new concept.
In the past, the idea has been bandied about among government planners and politicians with no significant outcomes.
Most recently, the city’s Strategic Investment Plan outlined a scheme to shift traffic patterns and make other roadway improvements in Uptown.
The hope was to garner some of the $10 million funding offered up by the state through its Downtown Revitalization Initiative.
But besides the Uptown traffic plan, the city had 10 other priority projects put up for the funding. Of those, the state chose five. It is unclear how much, if any, will be funded for the DRI outlined traffic pattern changes and other improvements. It is likely,
“Existing traffic and pedestrian signals are not conventionally timed, do not function properly, or are outdated.” — Strategic Investment Plan
though, that it won’t be anywhere near the more than $5 million estimated cost.
Still, Mayor Steve Noble has said the city has not given up on seeking funding for that project or any of the others left off the DRI list.
In its Strategic Investment Plan, the city focuses on the traffic pattern maneuver as a way to make visiting Uptown’s Stockade Business District a little more pleasant.
“Existing roadways within and leading to the SBD are often congested,” the document says. “Existing traffic and pedestrian signals are not conventionally timed, do not function properly, or are outdated.”
“The combination of two-way and an inconsistent pattern of one-way streets as well as the nonstandard design of some intersections leaves travelers confused, and in some cases it is hazardous,” the report says. “Poor access, circulation, and wayfinding deters both residents and visitors from shopping, dining, visiting,
or doing business in the SBD.”
The Strategic Investment Plan describes specific ways to make Stockade District travel less troublesome.
“These improvements are meant to improve access to and circulation within the SBD for all Kingston residents, as well as employees and visitors to the SBD.”
The changes and improvements include the following:
• Reverse the street directions along Wall and Fair streets between North
Front Street and Greenkill Avenue, including the installation of six actuated coordinated signals.
• Reverse the street directions along John Street between Green Street and Clinton Avenue, and along Main Street between Washington and Clinton Avenues.
Implement intersection alterations at Albany Avenue and Clinton Avenue, including:
• Provide a signalized pedestrian crossing across Albany Avenue between the Governor Clinton complex and the Kingston Hospital Dialysis Center that includes bulb-outs on both sides, a raised pedestrian refuge in the middle and post mounted signs with a signal in the pedestrian refuge.
• Install an actuated traffic
signal system.
• Relocate Governor Clinton building driveway to enable the realignment of the pedestrian crosswalk on Albany Avenue, on the east side of Clinton Avenue, and install curb extensions.
• Install a traffic signal system with pedestrian signals and push buttons at the intersection of Clinton Avenue and Westbrook Lane.
• Install and/or replace sidewalks on John Street from Green Street to Clinton Avenue and on Crown Street from North Front Street to Green Street.
The report said that the project would “support and build on recent or ongoing infrastructure investments in and around the SBD, including New York State Department of Transportation’s construction of a
roundabout at the I-587 intersection, planned for 2019, and Kingston’s $640,000 investment in other intersections within the SBD, including the Washington Avenue/North Front Street intersection.”
The report referred to the state’s $12 million construction of a roundabout at the intersection of I-598 (Colonel Chandler Drive), Albany Avenue, and Broadway.
“In addition, by funding these projects, it will allow the City to implement
other elements of the Uptown Transportation Plan in the future,” the Strategic Investment plan says.
But to implement the traffic pattern changes and other improvements is likely to cost at least $5.4 million.
In its investment plan, the city had requested the entire amount be funded by the state.
The cost includes $389,796 for design and engineering as well as $1,169,388 for contingency.