Elmira Two Way Conversion and Traffic Signal Upgrade Project

»View "Two Way is the New Way" Traffic Safety Brochure

Project Summary
The project includes the replacement of traffic signal equipment at 19 intersections in the Church and Water Streets corridors. The intersections with Church include Judson, Sullivan, Madison, Lake, Baldwin, Clemens Center, Railroad (flasher only), Main, College, Walnut, and Hoffman. The intersections with Water include Madison, Lake, Baldwin, Clemens Center, Main, College, Walnut, and Hoffman. Several of the intersections will be entirely replaced; all of the intersections will have enhanced pedestrian features with pushbuttons and countdown timers, and man/hand displays. Church and Water Streets will be converted to a two way traffic pattern from the east side of the City to Hoffman Street.

The system will be capable of integration into the NYSDOT regional transportation management system and will be controlled by computer from the City Public Services facility.

This is the first phase of Corridor One of the City's Traffic Signal Upgrade program. Phase 2, to include 13 additional intersections in the downtown area, is scheduled for 2007.

Objectives

1. To replace all obsolete traffic signal equipment (controllers, cabinets, signal faces) and to upgrade to the current design standards;
2. Upgrade and expand existing interconnection of traffic signals to improve the communication system;
3. Coordinate traffic signals to improve mobility;
4. To install a PC-based Advanced Traffic Management System that will manage the City of Elmira's traffic signal system and accommodate future Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) applications;
   
5. To upgrade all I-beam and embedded traffic signal poles, overhead sign poles, and pedestrian poles to the current design standards;
   
6. To improve vehicle and pedestrian mobility and safety through the use of traffic progression rather than road widening; and
   
7. To complement the economic development and growth desired through the City’s 2-way conversion of Church and Water Streets.
   

Project Scope and Limits

• Upgrade 19 Traffic Signals on Church and Water Streets from Route 17 to Hoffman Street.
  
• Convert Church Street to 2-way traffic from Madison Avenue to Hoffman Street.
  
• Convert Water Street to 2-way traffic from Lake Street to Hoffman Street.
  

Project Funding: Combination of Federal, State, and Local Dollars

Design (Signal and Conversion):
80% Federal, 15% State, 5% City of Elmira

Construction (Traffic Signal):
80% Federal, 15% State, 5% City of Elmira

Construction (2-way Conversion):
100% City of Elmira

Additional Information

Route 352 Alignment
NYS Route 352 eastbound will be signed on Water Street from Coleman Avenue (Town of Elmira) to the Route 17 Exit 56 interchange. NYS Route 352 westbound will be signed on Church Street from the Route 17-Exit 56 interchange to Coleman Avenue (Town of Elmira.)

Parking
The City of Elmira has endeavored to keep parking losses to a minimum. To insure proper sight distances and the appropriate room for turning lanes, some parking will be eliminated at intersections. Particular attention was paid to maintaining parking in the downtown business district. To minimize parking losses, lane widths were narrowed, and traffic flows were moved laterally at intersections. This allowed for a larger amount of parking spaces to be maintained. However, it must be understood that in order to insure a safe, efficient flow of traffic, parking losses will occur. The City owns and operates several surface lots and parking garages which should help to offset the loss of on-street parking.

»For more about parking, see the Citizen's Guide to Parking

Signage
Share the Road bicyclist alert signs will be installed throughout the project area, serving to enhance the New York State “Bike Route 17“ corridor.

During the first several months after the 2-way conversion, signs will remain in place that read Church Street now 2-way, or Water Street now 2-way. Mid block pavement marking arrows will be added to delineate the correct direction of traffic flow in each lane.

Some businesses will need to change their exit signage to reflect the new 2-way traffic flows. Examples could include removing left (or right) turn only signs, or changing pavement markings. Letters have been mailed to businesses who should consider changing their signage or pavement markings.

Traffic Calming and Pedestrian Improvements
2-way traffic has the added advantage of slowing traffic (as compared to 2 lanes of 1-way traffic). Though pedestrians should always look both ways before crossing a street, traffic will now always be flowing in both directions. The slower speed of the traffic will help to offset this concern for pedestrians. Pedestrian Signals and Push-buttons will be installed at each intersection in the project. Count-Down Timers (such as found at the Woodlawn and College Avenues intersection) will be installed at each signal on all pedestrian approaches.




Status of the Project

Progress
As of October 14, 2005, Church and Water Streets have been converted to 2-way flow from Madison Avenue west to Hoffman Street, where they resume a 1-way traffic pattern. Signal work completed has included the installation of all of the new fiber optic conduits from the downtown area to the City Public Services facility. Additionally, underground pullbox and conduits, pole foundation work, and the new pole installations have been completed at each of the intersections. Traffic detection systems (loops) have been installed in the pavement, and provide for efficient pickup of both motorcycles and bicycles. Pavement and curb modification work has been completed. New signal head assemblies were installed on a combination of new and existing span wires. The new pedestrian crossing and signal controller equipment was installed in December, and has been turned on with the installation of new controllers. New controllers (and cabinets where necessary) have been installed in all intersections; field testing is in its 8th month. The splicing of the fiber optic cables has been completed; Central System Software and Hardware has now been installed. New pavement markings have been painted, providing new patterns. These patterns were determined by the expected traffic flows and volumes, and take into account the safety and efficiency of the system. New signage has been unveiled, and old signage has been removed. The City continues to work on identifying areas where additional parking spaces can be added. “Post” traffic volume counts were completed in May of 2005; these volumes helped us to refine the timings at each signal. The project will be monitored for a minimum of one year after the conversion in order to determine if further changes are warranted.

Questions and comments regarding the Traffic Signal Upgrade project may be addressed to:
Andrew P. Avery, P.E.,
Senior Engineer
City of Elmira DPS
840 Linden Place
Elmira, NY 14901
Tel: (607) 737-5750
Fax: (607) 737-5753
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