How Interstates Will Benefit Our Community
I-86
The conversion of Routes 17 and 15 to Interstates 86 and 99 literally will put the Elmira-Corning region on the map. Many maps are designed only to show the so-called "blue line" Interstate highways. The power of that blue line is clear.
If you want to know what specific impacts the Interstate designations will have in our communities, speak to the occupants of the Chemung County Commerce Center, across from Elmira's City Hall. The Elmira-Chemung Transportation Council (ECTC) office is located there, as are the area's primary economic development, planning, and tourism agencies.
Ask about the benefits of I-86 and I-99 in the office for Southern Tier Economic Growth (STEG), the economic development agency for Chemung County. When they recruit new business and industry to our area, invariably the first question they hear is how far are you from an interstate interchange. In the past, the fact that our area was not served by an Interstate highway frequently ended these conversations. Now STEG can keep these conversations going with news about our two Interstates.
The blue line similarly affects activities at the Chamber of Commerce. Many vacationers are choosing car travel and staying closer to home these days. Our community is blessed with a beautiful natural environment that is being enhanced by projects such as Tanglewood Nature Center & Museum and the Catharine Valley Trail. Wineries, museums, historic sites, and shopping facilities make our region an attractive destination for tourists. However, many tour operators and senior citizens don't like to schedule trips to locations not accessible by the Interstate system. When the blue line comes to the entire Southern Tier, we will be better positioned to attract tourists.
The ECTC members are long-term proponents of Interstate designation. We are active participants in the I-86 Coalition which was formed in 1999. The Coalition includes representatives from all the communities across the Southern Tier of New York and has worked to advocate for funding for needed projects to bring Route 17 to interstate standards. The Coalition, with financial and technical support from the ECTC, conducted a benefits study documenting that timely completion of I-86 will increase the state economy by $3.2 billion. Bringing Route 17 to Interstate standards will significantly improve the mobility of travelers, ease the movement of goods and services, and lower transportation costs. The elevated highway through Horseheads, currently under construction, will bring a major decrease in air, noise, and visual pollution when all those cars and trucks traveling through our area no longer need to stop at the signals in the Village.
The ECTC works with the Chemung County Traffic Safety Board to monitor high crash locations. Board members look forward to the improved safety that will come when all of Route 17 is upgraded to Interstate standards. The higher design requirements will significantly decrease the number of crashes throughout our region. We already see this result with the construction of the Lowman Interchange, which replaced one of our most dangerous intersections.
The implementation of projects necessary for the designations of I-86 and I-99 herald the completion of our primary transportation network. New business and industry will be attracted to locations such as Corporate Park South, and all businesses will be able to lower production costs and access an expanded labor pool. NYSDOT plans to utilize Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technology to automatically monitor traffic volumes and weather conditions and to evaluate emergencies. With greater exposure for our tourist attractions, we will see more visitors and the related economic benefits.
Transportation affects every aspect of our lives. The benefits of the Interstates will give our young people opportunities that many of them now leave the area to pursue. The future looks bright, thanks to I-86 and I-99.
For more information about the conversion of Route 17 to Interstate 86 click on the link NYSDOT RT.17 conversion to I86. For information about the I-86 Coalition go to the I-86 Coalition site at: http://www.ny-i86.com