Drivers navigating Route 31and the interchanges with 481 and I-81 are fully aware of congestion under normal circumstances. Now, construction at the Micron site is bringing even more traffic. But how is the New York State Department of Transportation planning to address current and future needs?
Dozens of people filled a large room at Clay Town Hall Thursday to learn more about what the DOT has in mind. One of them is Liz Haahr who lives on Route 31.
“I live like five doors from Micron. Over 700 trucks a day is a lot of trucks that go by my house,” she said.
A drive down Route 31 within a mile or two of the Micron site makes it clear site preparation is underway. Numerous trucks rumble along the two-lane road, and back-ups approaching Caughdenoy Road last about 10 minutes during mid-afternoon traffic as crews allow a constant stream of trucks to exit and enter the worksite. Other trucks water the road to keep down dust and street sweepers pick up what they can, but don't expect to keep your car clean.
Tom Moskalyk is from Radisson and said he wishes the state anticipated the volume of traffic and plans to accommodate it.
“We're not really on the front end of expanding things and we're I guess we are playing a little bit of catch up on trying to address it," he said. “A good example is here the truck traffic coming off of 31 onto Caughdenoy Road They're putting a turning lane in. That's something that probably should have been considered a while back.”
State DOT regional Director Betsy Parmley said there are definitely challenges.
“It’s a very busy area already, and we know that there will be tremendous growth," she said at town hall. "So it's making sure we get the solution right and when we get to the point where we're building it, that we keep in mind that we have to keep people moving through these communities while we're building this solution.”
Parmley added that feedback from residents guides their design. Resident Liz Haahr has some ideas.
“I think they have to look at everything, at widening 31 and any routes, 481 and that interchange, 81 and that interchange because that's where the bulk of the traffic's going to be," she said. "And then also try to figure out mass transportation, buses or trains.”
All of that was on display at the DOT’s public meeting. It’s also on their website where the DOT welcomes additional comments.
Construction on the projects along Route 31, the interchanges with Roue 481 and I-81, and along U.S. Route 11, isn't expected to begin until at least late 2028 after the state completes the lengthy planning, design, and environmental review process.
