Department of Transportation

NYSDOT Announces Construction on $3.3 million Project to Pave and Reconfigure Route 96 in the Towns of Brighton and Pittsford

New York State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Paul A. Karas today announced construction has begun on a project aimed at repairing and resurfacing pavement along a 2.3-mile stretch of East Avenue (Route 96) between Highland Avenue and Route 31F in the towns of Brighton and Pittsford, both in Monroe County. The project will enhance safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians with newly created shoulder space and a center turn lane.

This corridor is vital to the economic success of Monroe County as it serves as a direct link from the city of Rochester to Brighton and Pittsford, providing access to many nearby schools and businesses, including St. John Fisher College and Oak Hill Country Club.

“The repairs along East Avenue will ensure a smooth ride for motorists, but this project goes great lengths to benefit both pedestrians and bicyclists as well,” said Acting Commissioner Karas. “This is one of many smart investments we’re seeing in the Rochester area that encourages safe travel by all roadway users.”

In the fall, construction along this stretch of East Avenue will include reconfiguring and restriping the existing roadway and performing extensive pavement repairs ahead of winter. The existing pattern includes four travel lanes without shoulders. The new configuration will see one travel lane in each direction and a center turn lane, along with new shoulders to safely accommodate both bicyclists and pedestrians.

Changing pavement markings in this configuration has proven across New York State to be a cost-effective method to enhance safety for both pedestrians and bicyclists, helping calm traffic and providing more space for vehicles turning into or out of side streets and driveways.

Converting a four-lane road to this type of configuration typically reduces the number of rear end, right angle and left turn crashes.

Several other restriping projects across the Finger Lakes region have been completed to calm traffic flow and improve safety:

-Route 98 (Oak Street) from Route 5 (Main Street) to Noonan Drive in Batavia, Genesee County, was reduced from four travel lanes to two travel lanes with a center turning lane in 2009. Shoulders and space for bicyclists were also included.

-Route 64 (Ellicott Street) from Route 5 (Main Street) to Cedar Street in Batavia was reduced from four travel lanes to two travel lanes with a center turning lane in 2010. Shoulders and space for bicyclists were also included.

Assembly Majority Leader Joseph D. Morelle said, “The enhancement of this important neighborhood corridor will greatly improve its reliability and safety and create a more efficient and welcoming roadway for the thousands of commuters who use it every day. This project exemplifies the kind of infrastructure investments and improvements that our community needs in order to keep up with the changing demands and nature of commuter travel.”

Brighton Town Supervisor Bill Moehle said, “The Town of Brighton is pleased that this project will improve safety on East Ave. both for motorists and for cyclists. Traffic safety and safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists are top priorities in Brighton and this project will improve safety for drivers and cyclists alike.”

Pittsford Town Supervisor Bill Smith said, “The resurfacing and reconfiguration of East Avenue is welcome news.  State DOT has listened as I’ve shared our residents’ concerns about the roadway over the past year and the plan announced today means significant improvements in safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.”

Next spring, the entire pavement surface will be milled out and repaved to ensure smooth rideability and safe access for all users of the roadway.

The use of alternating single lane closures during construction will ensure continued access to businesses and residences along East Avenue. Flaggers may be directing traffic during lane shifts and should be obeyed at all time. Traffic will not be detoured. However, motorists are advised to plan an alternate route during construction. The entire project is expected to be complete by next summer.

Recently, NYSDOT and the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee unveiled a new public service announcement and social media campaign focused on the importance of respecting flagging personnel. This year's work zone safety campaign, "Flaggers have families too," is designed to remind motorists that flagging personnel are not attempting to disrupt traffic - they are simply doing their jobs to keep roads safe for travelers. The PSA can be viewed here and here.

Motorists are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. In accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver’s license.

For real-time travel information, motorists should call 511 or visit www.511NY.org or the mobile site at m.511ny.org, New York State’s official traffic and travel information source.

Follow New York State DOT on Twitter at @NYSDOT and @NYSDOTRochester. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/NYSDOT.

Accelerating Finger Lakes Forward

Today’s announcement complements “Finger Lakes Forward,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $5.2 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan – investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture‎ and food production, and advanced manufacturing. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Rochester, Batavia and Canandaigua as a destination to grow and invest in.

Now, the region is accelerating Finger Lakes Forward with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 8,200 new jobs. More information is available here.

###