City Plans Downtown Truck Traffic Study to Improve Broadway Corridor
SARATOGA SPRINGS —At its meeting on Nov. 15, the City Council announced an initiative aimed at identifying solutions related to increased commercial truck traffic along the Broadway corridor.
Over the last 20 years, there has been an increase in commercial truck traffic on Broadway due to the development of several regional truck transportation distribution centers. The increase of commercial truck traffic has led to additional vehicular traffic using other residential streets to avoid Broadway. Additionally, there has been the establishment of increased outdoor dining, and increased traffic has led to increased vehicular and pedestrian conflicts.
Previously, the city completed traffic studies in 1996 and 2008 and developed a Complete Streets Plan in 2020 – which identified a high density of crashes involving bicycles and pedestrians along the Broadway Corridor.
The following steps have been identified as part of the Broadway Corridor Improvements Initiative:
• Conduct a Truck Origin/Destination Study of truck traffic in downtown Saratoga Springs.
• Review state route classification for Broadway
• Evaluate policies for limiting commercial truck traffic in the downtown based on the Truck Origin/Destination Study
The following streets have been identified as the potential study areas: Broadway (U.S. Rte 9); Ballston Avenue (NY Rte 50); Church Street (NY Rte 9N); Finley/Adelphi Streets; Geyser Road; Lake Avenue (NY Rte 29); Union Avenue (NY Rte 9P); Van Dam Street; Washington Street (NY Rte 29).
The city will be applying for up to $150,000 via a Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) grant through the Capital District Transportation Committee (CDTC). It is anticipated the project will cost approximately $150,000 and requires a cash matching funds of not less than 15% of the total project cost. The 2023-2024 UPWP covers the period April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 and an estimated $1 million in federal funds will be available for planning activities. Project proposals are due Nov. 30, 2022.