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Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton, Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick, and New York State DOT, Region 3 in Syracuse, who together formed a Working Group on Truck Safety, have announced the next steps in their work in reviewing truck safety issues in Ithaca and implementing any and all feasible improvements to try to prevent tragic accidents such as the one on June 20th of this year that took the life of a 27-year old employee of Simeon's Restaurant on the Ithaca Commons.

After a lengthy general discussion of a number of some of the more drastic or high-tech ideas that have been suggested by the public or by city or state engineers, the group agreed to continue to compile all the ideas, large and small, and to more-thoroughly research and consider the options.  While many in the public have emailed their ideas to either the Assemblywoman or the Mayor (such as totally shutting down Route 79 in the city to truck traffic, more truck brake-testing areas, more signage, or sensors to detect and stop problem trucks, among others), all are welcome to forward any other ideas to either local office to be added to the list of things to consider.

"As we continue this important work, we understand that rather than one silver bullet, improved safety will likely come from implementing a number of smaller measures that, together, will enhance safety on our hills. We very much welcome any other ideas from the public, no matter how small they may seem," Lifton emphasized.

Mayor Myrick added, "We are committed to exploring every option that will keep our City safe from these truck hazards.  I'm grateful that Tompkins County and New York State are as committed to the safety of the City of Ithaca."

"The safety of the traveling public – motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians included – is the number one priority of the New York State Department of Transportation", said DOT Commissioner Joan McDonald.  "We will continue to work within this group to develop and implement enhancements to improve truck safety on Ithaca area roadways".

The Working Group has set their next working group meeting for Nov 17th where they will go through all the possibilities, large and small, and at that meeting they will also set the date for a public meeting, likely in early December, to update the public and seek feedback.

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