A rumble strip to alert south-bound drivers to a school district as they speed downhill and over the Salmon Creek Bridge on State Route 34B was denied by the New York State Department Of Transportation (DOT, according to Tompkins County Legislator (Lansing) Mike Sigler.  Sigler requested the rumble strip a year and a half ago, saying that traffic by the Myers Road crosswalk poses a safety concern about children crossing the road as motorists, who can not see the school buildings until they come off the bridge, are supposed to be decreasing their speed from 55mph to 45, and again to 30.

"Unfortunately the State DOT did reject my idea for a rumble strip down by the middle school," Sigler told the Lansing Town Board Wednesday.  "I was hoping to alert drivers that they were coming to a school zone as they come down from the north.  The did suggest a crossing, though."

Sigler asked New York State Senator Pam Helming and Lansing Supervisor Ed LaVigne for help in getting the rumble strip.  LaVigne forwarded a detailed report with maps showing the hazard.

Helming received a letter on May 12 from DOT Regional Director David P. Smith, who said the DOT will be following up on her request.

"A formal investigation will be conducted at the above location," Smith wrote. "Upon completion of the investigation, you will be notified of the results and our determination. Please be aware that our review requires sufficient field investigation and analysis to assure a proper response."

Requests for speed limit changes and traffic mitigation such as rumble strips go through a review, similar to that conducted when considering new traffic signals.  According to the DOT, when requests are submitted for a new traffic signal a DOT engineer "conducts a thorough on-site review of the intersection, observes traffic movements, collects data on vehicle and pedestrian traffic usage, then analyzes three years of accident history of the intersection. Given the significant number of requests for traffic signals received, there is admittedly, some time lag until the engineer can begin the investigation. Also, the collection of is often a time-consuming process, since time of day, weather conditions, time of year and other factors can affect traffic pattern.

"The engineer evaluates the site based on a series of criteria. Generally, the evaluation includes answers to the following questions:

• Does the accident history of the area indicate that a traffic signal will reduce the probability of collisions?
• Is the traffic on the main street so heavy that drivers on the side street try to cross when it is unsafe?
• Is there a significant number of school children crossing at the specific location to justify special control for their safety, and, if so, is a traffic signal the right choice?
• Does the number of pedestrians at the specific intersection create confusion, congestion or hazardous conditions?
• Are there so many cars on each street that a signal is needed to clear up confusion or relieve congestion?
• Would a traffic signal help drivers maintain a uniform pace along the route without having to stop unnecessarily?
• Is there a combination of any of the above criteria which indicates that a signal would be an improvement?"

Sigler said Wednesday that the Town may want to establish a crossing guard, but noted that it may be a moot issue because the Salmon Creek Bridge is scheduled to be replaced beginning in spring of 2019.  DOT officials estimate the new bridge will be open before the end of 2019.  But the bridge closing may bring other safety problems as more traffic diverts along Ludlowville and Myers Roads as drivers seek alternate routes.

"Once the bridge is closed I don't know if this is going to be an issue for the next couple of years, so we have some time," Sigler told Town Board members. "The County will be reaching out to you about that bridge closing and how it will affect the traffic patterns in town."

Sigler also noted that temporary traffic radar signs on North Triphammer Road have been replaced by permanent solar-powered signs, to enforce the still relatively new 45 mile per hour speed limit (down from the State speed limit of 55).

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