Current Tasks
UPWP
Another name for the Annual Work Program is the Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)
The 2010-2011 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) describes planning work proposed for the Elmira-Chemung Transportation Council (ECTC) in Chemung County. The ECTC is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Elmira urbanized area, and is the agency responsible for coordinating transportation planning activities within Chemung County. If you have questions or comments concerning the 2010-2011 UPWP, please contact the Elmira Chemung Transportation Council via email at ectc@stny.rr.com or in writing to Elmira Chemung Transportation Council, 400 East Church Street, Elmira, NY 14901.
Preparation of an annual UPWP is required by USDOT, and it serves as the basis for all federal funding assistance for transportation planning to state, local, and regional agencies. The UPWP provides a way to coordinate these different planning activities, and to relate transportation planning concerns to overall comprehensive planning in the region. Funds to carry out the work program come from: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Planning Funds and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5303 Funds.
The ECTC carries out its planning responsibilities in accordance with the requirements of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA) and related regulations and guidelines. Federal regulations require three major products in order to maintain a transportation process: a Long Range (20 year) Transportation Plan, a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), that identifies a multi-year schedule of capital projects, and an annual work program, the UPWP. The UPWP includes a variety of planning activities that address on-going and emerging issues related to maintaining and improving the region's transportation system and the overall quality of life.
Interstate 86
Horseheads Project
The Horseheads project was completed in 2007. In the same year, NYSDOT upgraded the section of Route 17 from Horseheads to Elmira Exit 56 to Interstate standards. I-86 designation for this section of highway is expected in 2008.
Access Project
Preliminary design on the project to upgrade Route 17 from Exit 56 to Exit 59 to Interstate standards is underway. Various alternatives are being considered. The ECTC is providing technical assistance to advance the project and is working with the citizen's task set up by NYSDOT to facilitate public input. Construction is scheduled for 2008.
I-86 Coalition
For details about the Coalition go to: http://www.ny-i86.com/.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects
Catharine Valley Trail - click to see details
Lackawanna Trail
The City of Elmira has received a TEA-21 Enhancement grant to construct a trail along the abandoned Lackawanna Railroad right-of-way. The section of the trail that connects Lake Street to Eldridge Park has been completed. The trail from Eldridge Park to a parking area on Water Street will be completed in 2008. To view a map and find out my information about the trail click here.
Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan
The ECTC is working with the Schuyler-Steuben Transportation Advisory Committee and NYSDOT to develop regional Bicycle and Pedestrian routes that connect planned and existing facilities. A map of the routes was produced and used in a new brochure, "Get Active in Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben Counties". For a reference map of New York State Bicycle Routes in the Southern Central New York Region please click here.
Elmira Promenade
The ECTC is working with the City of Elmira to develop plans for a multi-use vehicular and pedestrian corridor. The location of the project in under and directly adjacent to the Norfolk Southern Railroad viaduct extending from Water Street north to Second Street. For details about the project go to Elmira Promenade Preliminary Design Study
Horseheads Corridor Access Management Plan
The completion of the Horseheads Bypass and designation of Route 17 as I-86 will bring increased development pressure to the Town and Village of Horseheads. Route 13 currently has right of way without access most of the way from Route 17 to Route 223. There will be increased pressure to release access as the development pressure builds. ECTC staff worked with NYSDOT and a Steering Committee of local representatives to develop an Access Management Plan for the Route 13 corridor that will protect the efficiency of this transportation facility and still allow development to proceed consistent with local desires. The next step in the process is to have Town and Village of Horseheads examine their current zoning and land use policies and determine needed changes that take into account recommendations from the Access management Plan.
Center at Horseheads Connector Road
This project will provide preliminary and final engineering studies and designs for a new roadway connection between NYS Route 13 and Old Ithaca Road in the Town of Horseheads. This new roadway will provide improved access and connectivity from NY Routes 17 (future I-86) and 13 to the Center at Horseheads, a regionally-significant industrial park located at the western terminus of the project, in the Village of Horseheads. This new roadway will also relieve traffic volumes on existing roadways, and reduce congestion during peak travel periods within the surrounding areas.
Vehicular access to the Center at Horseheads from NYS Route 17 is currently provided by two-lane roadways and streets through the Village of Horseheads, which all converge at a 5-leg intersection in the Village's historic Hanover Square, and via Wygant Road in the Town of Horseheads. Narrow streets, numerous conflicting traffic movements and poor geometry for turning trucks result in congestion, delays and safety concerns. By addressing these traffic, safety and access issues, the project is expected to serve as a catalyst for economic growth and development within the project area by improving on the Center at Horseheads occupancy rate.
Chemung County has hired a consultant to progress the needed studies and design work which will include opportunities for public input. The earliest that construction can start is 2010.
Elmira Signal Improvement Program
Work is underway to upgrade and coordinate the traffic signal system in the City of Elmira and to create a Traffic Management Center. The first phase of the project upgraded the signals in the downtown area and along Church, Gray and Water Streets between Route 17 and Hoffman Street. The design of the signal system was coordinated with the work to convert Church and Water from one-way to two-way.
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Architecture
Intelligent Transportation Systems have been defined as: "the application of advanced sensor, computer, electronics, and communication technologies and management strategies in an integrated manner to improve the safety and efficiency of the surface transportation system". Examples of ITS would include the new coordinated signal system in Elmira, automated traffic and weather sensors that NYSDOT is including in I-86 projects, and planned kiosks that will provide information on transit service. ITS Architecture defines a framework within which a system can be built. It defines what the pieces of the system are and the information that is exchanged between them. The architecture is important because it allows integration options to be considered prior to investment in the design and development of the pieces of the system. The ECTC worked with area highway departments, transportation and police agencies and emergency responders to develop the Regional ITS Architecture for Chemung County.
An ITS Implementation Committee has been formed and is meeting quarterly. One recomenadtion of the Committee was to purchase portable Variable Message signs and Driver Speed Feedback signs. The purchase will be made in 2006.
Chemung County GIS Cooperative
Click for section on Smart Maps/GIS
Chemung County Traffic Safety Board (CCTSB)
The ECTC work with the CCTSB to promote traffic safety in Chemung County encompasses a wide range of activities including the maintenance of the GIS Crash Reporting System and the coordination of education and enforcement activities with all of the local police agencies. The ECTC Director is the Vice-Chair of the Board.
The Safety Tips brochure was updated in 2005. Other current activities include bicycle rodeos and the distribution of bicycle helmets and safety strobes. A priority for both the ECTC and the CCTSB is pedestrian safety. Local Police departments have received funding from the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee for overtime to enforce the laws related to yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks.
Chemung County Transit Board
The ECTC conducted the Chemung County Transit System Evaluation Study in 2002. The project included an overall evaluation of operation of the Chemung County Transit System (CCTS) including current and future transit needs in and around the County. The project was completed with the assistance of an extensive Steering Committee. Specific areas that were examined include routing and scheduling, vehicle needs, monitoring requirements, service standards, and operating and capital financing.
One recommendation that was contained in the report was the creation of the Chemung County Transit Board to help oversee and monitor the various transportation services provided by the Chemung County Transit System. The ECTC is a member of the Board which was formed early in 2003.