Northern Tier proposal demanding for Franklin County

MALONE — Several Franklin County communities on the proposed Northern Tier Expressway would see drastic changes and safety improvements, if it's built.

The long-awaited four-lane rural arterial would extend from the U.S. Army base at Fort Drum near Interstate 81 in Jefferson County through St. Lawrence County, then through Franklin County to the Rouses Point area in Clinton County to connect with the Adirondack Northway (Interstate 87).

BUDGET FOR CHANGES
In 2005, the 20-year project was estimated to cost between $785 million and $820 million.

There's $6 million already in place for the first four years of small improvements in some impacted communities, including Moira, North Bangor, Malone, Chateaugay, Ellenburg and Rouses Point.

Included in the changes along U.S. Route 11 is the addition of bicycle lanes because Region 7 of the State Department of Transportation is designated as a bike-path corridor.

The draft proposal suggests these changes for municipalities in Franklin County:

MOIRA
The existing highway has no outside shoulder and little room for a bicycle lane.

Sidewalks need upgrading on the north and south sides, west of the intersection with State Route 95.

Street trees would be added to conceal utility poles and wires.

BRUSHTON
No shoulder markings show where on-street parking is allowed, and there is no bike lane.

Parallel on-street-parking spaces would be added at the Village Park, and spot repairs would be made to sidewalks. Other sidewalks may be moved back on the north side of Route 11 to Gale Road and extended on the north side to the same point.

Three crosswalks would be added and street trees planted.

NORTH BANGOR
On-street parking makes creating a bike lane difficult. Sidewalks on both sides of Route 11 would be extended to the outer limits of town, a crosswalk added at the intersection with North Bangor Road, and utility wires would be contained to one side of the street at the flashing light, where street trees would also be added.

VILLAGE OF MALONE
On-street parking is permitted, but there is no designated bicycle lane. Three lanes would be created for bikes and parking between existing curbs.

Dark, textured sidewalks would be replaced with lighter ones, crosswalk bulb-outs would be widened, and pedestrian-refuge islands are recommended in the center of the street, with longer crossings.

The study suggests adding street trees and grassy center medians at each edge of the village.

An expansion of the 35-mph zone west to the Malone-Dufort Airport is also recommended.

An adjustment to traffic-light timing and improved coordination at banks of lights would increase traffic flow, the study suggests.

The existing light system at the intersection with State Route 37 has a 59.9-second delay, but it could be improved to 29.2 seconds by 2025, which would drop drivers' wait time by 51 percent, according to the report.

The timing would also be adjusted at the intersection with Elm Street, where drivers now wait 72.3 seconds. By 2025, that could be reduced to 34.7 seconds, reducing drivers' wait time by 52 percent.

Smoother access to Route 11 between Fort Covington Street and Howard Avenue to increase safety and boost traffic efficiency calls for reducing multiple driveways to one.

Wide driveways between Webster and Washington streets would be narrowed, full-access driveways would revert to entrance-only, and Academy Street would be realigned with Brewster Street.

A two-way left turn between Route 37 and Academy Street would be created, and the road between Fort Covington and Academy streets would be widened to make room for that proposed two-way turn.

CHATEAUGAY
On-street parking is allowed, but there is no room for a bike lane.

Existing sidewalks at the outer eastern and western edges of the village would be extended, and sidewalks may be moved back on the north side of Route 11 as street trees are added to conceal wires and poles.

E-mail Denise A. Raymo at: draymo@pressrepublican.com