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Ulster County
Planning Board
Herbert Heckler, Director
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Press
Release - December 20, 2002
for
immediate release |
Contact:
Dennis Doyle
Ulster
County Planning 340-3339 |
The Draft Comprehensive Transportation Plan for
Ulster County is available for public comment
A draft 20-Year Comprehensive Transportation Plan for Ulster County
is available for local governments, businesses and the public to
review. The Plan includes recommendations, policies and projects to
insure that over the next twenty years, a multi-modal transportation
system capable of meeting the mobility and safety needs within the
County and connecting to the region, is put in place.
Recommendations include specific transportation investments related
to safety, efficiency, equity, environment and quality of life, as
well as polices that recognize the fundamental link between land use
and transportation. In addition to the Plan itself, three guidance
documents are included to aid decision-makers. These are: "Access
Management Guidelines", "Transportation and Quality
Communities: Strategies", and "Bicycle and Pedestrian
Primer". Finally, the Plan includes graphic examples of
sample applications of its policies in key corridors including Rt. 9W
in Esopus and Marlboro, Rt. 209 in Stone Ridge, and Washington Avenue
in Ulster and the City of Kingston.
Funding for the plan came from Federal, State and County sources.
An Advisory Committee composed of a wide range of interested
organizations and citizens guided the Plan's development. Initially,
four public meetings were held early in the planning process that
established issues and concerns. Local government officials were also
surveyed and interviewed for their insights.
Public forums will be held at Ulster County Community College on
Thursday January 16th in afternoon and evening sessions
beginning at 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM. respectively. The beginning of each
forum will include a multi-media presentation summarizing the Plan's
recommendations. Copies of the draft plan will be available at the
forums. In addition, copies of the Plan have been provided to local
town and village clerks. The Plan is also available on the County's
website: www.co.ulster.ny.us/planning. Please come and discuss the
transportation future of Ulster County. Refreshments will be
available. Hope you can make it!
Written comments are encouraged and may be submitted the Ulster
County Planning Department (see address below). Your questions or
comments may be directed to Dennis Doyle, Ulster County Planning at
340-3339 or Russell Robbins, New York State DOT at 431-572.
The Plan's vision is to "Provide a safe and
efficient multi-modal transportation system that supports the
present and future needs of residents, visitors, and businesses of
Ulster County and the region, that strengthens preferred land use
patterns, protects the environment, preserves and enhances quality
of life and can be achieved at a publicly acceptable cost"
Some Highlights of the Plan include:
- Develop all modes of transportation (Highway, Transit, Rail,
Water, Bicycle and Pedestrian) in an environmentally sensitive way
that supports community and economic development.
Provide tools that can foster mixed-use development in and around
existing population centers.
Increase transportation funding to improve the condition of roads
and bridges.
- Institute access management along highways to improve safety and
move traffic more efficiently.
Undertake needed infrastructure and safety improvements on the
State, County and Local Highway System to improve conditions and
reduce fatalities and injuries.
Utilize context sensitive design and community enhancements in
transportation projects to help municipalities achieve quality
community goals.
Corridor studies in the City of Kingston, hamlet of Port Ewen, New
Paltz and Saugerties both town and village, and the hamlet of
Woodstock.
Develop plans for multimodal transportation centers in the City of
Kingston and the County's three villages.
Address bicycle and pedestrian facility needs throughout the County.
- Address safety and capacity issues at highway intersections
Implement traffic calming techniques in villages and hamlets
Implement a bus shelter program
Nominate and manage scenic byways.
Improve, expand, and link trail systems throughout the county.
This Plan also lays the foundation for the creation of a new
decision-making process for transportation funding in the County that
would operate under the federal Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
structure. The Plan calls for the creation of a Transportation Council
to begin the coordinated, cooperative and continuing work of
transportation planning.
Additional transportation funding is needed in order to meet the
Plan's goals, objectives, programs, studies and projects. The Plan
suggests ways to achieve this funding level and is a guide to set
priorities for its use.
Ulster
County Planning Board - Box 1800 - Kingston, N.Y., 12402
Tele:
845-340-3340 Fax: 845-340-3429
E-Mail:
Planning@co.ulster.ny.us
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