A conceptual plan is in the works to address safety concerns andtraffic flow through the Round Lake Road Corridor
The Town of Malta Round Lake Road Corridor Planning Committee is holding a public workshop on Feb. 29 at to address questions and concerns about proposed traffic improvements for the area.
The meeting will take place at the round Lake Fire Department at 13 Curry Rd. at 7 p.m. Officials are looking for input, comments and questions from the community regarding the proposed project. It is hoped that by thes ummer, the committee will have a final plan to present to the town so that the project can progress.
The area of proposed improvements is near exit 11 of the Northway and consists of mixed land uses, including residential and commercial. As such, accommodations for vehicles and pedestrians are being reviewed during this conceptual stage of design and the primary focus is safety for all travelers within the corridor.
According to Maggi Ruisi, town councilwoman and member of the committee, there have been several accidents in the area.
“Almost everybody who lives around here has witnessed or heard about a pedestrian or motor vehicle accident, especially on the southbound offramp of the Northway,” Ruisi said.
One of the reasons for mixed use in the area is that the Zim Smith multi-use trail runs near the corridor. The conceptual design reflects attention to users of the trail.
“This is a complete street plan. We’ve incorporated a lighting plan which will be brightest in the middle and taper off (at either end),”Ruisi said.
She said the lighting scheme would be a great advantage to not only motorists, but pedestrians and bicyclists. Perhaps most notably, thep reliminary plan calls for the installation of two roundabouts at thei ntersections with Chango Drive and with Ruhle and Raylinski roads. A new traffic signal would also be placed at the intersection with the Exit 11 ramp.
Anthony Tozzi, building and planning director for the Town of Malta, said, “The concept (of the design) is to generally improve the Round Lake Road corridor from Eastline Road to the roundabout at the Bypass/Villageentrance. The design is primarily intended to improve traffic flow, turning movements and to reduce stacking as a result of cars behind cars attempting to turn left during heavy traffic volume.”
Proposed amenities that will aid flow and safety are dedicated bike lanes, pedestrian islands near the proposed roundabouts, pedestrian signage, curb bump-outs and crosswalks with high contrast paving. Curbbump-outs, or curb extensions, are becoming common elements in suburban designas they provide for shorter and safer crossings for pedestrians at intersections.
Some early comments from community members in Malta have beens ent to Ruisi and she repots than most of the residents who did comment are excited about the expansion of sidewalks for that area.
Two engineering consulting companies, Chazen and Creighton Manning, have partnered to develop the conceptual plan and both will be providing representatives for the Feb. 29 meeting, according to Tozzi. It is also anticipated that any committee members who can attend the meeting will do so.
If you have comments but are unable to attend the meeting youcan email your comments to Ruisi at [email protected]. For more information and a copy of the concept plan, contact Tozzi at [email protected]. A copy of thedraft concept plan is also available at www.malta-town.org.
