How to resolve AdBlock issue? City Identifies Dangerous Roads
“I do get communication from residents regarding traffic issues in the city. Some we can do something about, some we can’t,” Public Safety Commissioner Chris Mathiesen said during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.
Mathiesen explained that a half-dozen or so problem areas fall under state Department of Transportation jurisdiction and that he sent a letter to the DOT asking the agency to look into those six area of concerns. Those are:
1. Intersection Union Avenue, Meadowbrook Road, Gilbert Road. The DOT reduced the speed limit on Union Avenue to 45 mph, but more needs to be done. Ideally, a traffic circle would reduce speeds on Union Avenue and make it much safer for motorists.
2. Intersection Lake Avenue, Gilbert Road, Weibel Avenue. The city has received many complaints about this intersection, especially for vehicles trying to access Lake Avenue from Gilbert Road.
3. Outer Lake Avenue, Route 29. The 55-mph limit in the vicinity of the Saratoga Independence School should be looked at, and a lower school zone limit considered.
4. Outer Church Street, Route 9N. The 45-mph speed limit begins immediately to the west of the West Avenue intersection, and is too fast given the subsequent intersections to the west with busy residential streets and the large nursing homes/senior facilities.
5. South Broadway near W. Kaydeross Road intersection. A reduced speed limit from the existing 55 mph and possibly a caution light would be helpful given the year around activity at the barbeque restaurant. Pedestrians have been killed in this area.
6. Outer Washington Street, Route 29, and especially Intersection with Brook Road/Slade Road. This intersection has been intimidating for motorists trying to cross Route 29 or trying to turn into Slade or Brook Road from Route 29. The speed limit is 55 mph. Vehicles must come to a nearly complete stop in order to turn off Route 29. There are no turn lanes and the roadway shoulders are sub-standard.
According to city statistics, 22 traffic accidents were reported at this intersection between January 2012 and December 2016 involving 48 vehicles and causing injury to 19 vehicle occupants. Ideally, a traffic control device on Route 29 - with a 45-mph speed limit from the city line east to Buff Road and a 40 mph limit from Buff Road to West Avenue - would make the stretch of outer Washington street /Route 29 much safer.
City Seeks Purchase of Private Land near Loughberry Lake
The City Council set a public hearing to take place at 6:40 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21 regarding the city’s potential acquisition of a privately owned 2.4-acre lot adjacent to the Route 50 gateway and in the Loughberry Lake vicinity. The owner of the land is willing to sell the parcel to the city, which was appraised last month by GAR Associates at $135,000. The purchase would help protect the watershed and retain a scenic vista on a signature gateway into the city. Should Loughberry Lake no longer be used as a reservoir in the future, the parcel could potentially serve as a pocket park with access to the waterfront for active or passive recreation, according to the city.
City is Lead Agent for Geyser Road Trail
As it had similarly done in regards to the Pitney Farm property last month, the City Council on Tuesday voted to approve Saratoga Springs act as SEQRA Lead Agency for the Geyser Road Trail. The State Environmental Quality Review Act, or SEQRA, requires all state and local government agencies to consider environmental impacts equally with social and economic factors during discretionary decision-making.
Spa City Solar Park Set to Power Up
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held April 5 at the Saratoga Springs' Solar Park. The project, developed on the city-owned landfill will meet about 40 percent of the City government’s electricity needs. It is slated for completion in late June, and is anticipated to be “energized” by late July
Upcoming
The annual Memorial Day Parade will take place 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 25. The city asks anyone willing to volunteer for the community event contact City Hall at 587-3550.
The Zoning Board of Appeals will host a meeting at City Hall at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 13.
The Design Review Commission will host a meeting at City Hall at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15.
