Wayfinding During Construction

From May- October 2018 the City will be undergoing infrastructure updates that will render some of the most frequently traveled routes to operate under restrictions and possible delays. A team comprised of various representatives form the City, the DIA, Chamber of Commerce, Cornell Planning Department, CVB, & Tompkins County Tourism have worked together to create a map for aide in getting around town during the East State Street Construction projects. Temporary Wayfinding Map

To request a printable file of this document or with questions, concerns, or additional assistance regarding the temporary alternate routes map please contact Public Information Specialist Melody Faraday via email at mfaraday@cityofithaca.org or direct line (607) 274-6571.

900 - 1010 East State Street Gas Main Replacement Project

PROJECT START DATE: Monday, May 7, 2018

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: On behalf of NYSEG, the DDS Companies will install a new 6” gas main and service connections from the intersection of Mitchell Street & East State Street to 1010 East State Street.

REASON FOR WORK: “This NYSEG gas main replacement is part of a NYS Public Service Commission mandated program to replace aging infrastructure. This replaced infrastructure includes piping that is considered to have future potential for leakage and is classified as leak-prone. This PSC mandated replacement program provides NYSEG a capital investment mechanism that supports public safety. The new main will add and provide more consistent operating pressure and increased reliability to the customers we serve in the immediate areas. The new gas main will have an expected life of 20 years or more.”

LOCAL IMPACTS: Starting Monday May 14, 2018, East State Street will be closed to through traffic in both directions between Mitchell Street and Bridge Street, including nights and weekends, for the duration of the work. The intersection of Giles Street and Cornell Street will remain open. Access to driveways will be maintained inside the work zone, but residents may experience some delays getting in and out of the work area. During active work, flaggers and construction personnel will assist residents in the work area to access driveways. Permanent restoration work will occur at the end of the project.

Additionally, the sidewalk on the northeast side of the intersection of East State Street and Mitchell Street will also be closed, as will the sidewalk on the north side of East State Street for approximately 100 feet to the east. The City will work with DDS to have the sidewalk restored as soon as the gas work is completed.

DETOURS IN PLACE: Starting Monday May 14, Inbound (westbound) traffic will be detoured from East State St. (Rt 79) to Pine Tree Rd to Route 366 and back into the City to the intersection of East State St and Mitchell Street.

Outbound (eastbound) traffic will be detoured from East State St. (Rt 79) to Route 366 to Pine Tree Rd. to the intersection of Pine Tree Road and Route 79.

The detour will be posted along the route and all heavy vehicles and trucks should use the detour. There are no alternate routes that are suitable for heavy vehicles and trucks. Residents and visitors to addresses on East State Street between Mitchell Street and Pine Tree Road will have necessary access aside from possible brief exceptions at locations where active work is underway. Some short-term sidewalk closures adjacent to active work are expected.

PARKING RESTRICTIONS: No change

SCHEDULED COMPLETION DATE: Approximately July 14, 2018

General questions and concerns can be directed to Public Information Specialist Melody Faraday: mfaraday@cityofithaca.org; (607) 274-6571

For project specific questions or requests for special accommodations, please contact Assistant Civil Engineer Lynne Yost: lyost@cityofithaca.org; (607) 274-6530

East State Street Sewer Replacement Project

Water and Sewer crews will begin Stage 1 of the East State Street Sewer Replacement Project on Monday, April 30, 2018.  This work involves replacing the 75 year old sanitary sewer interceptor between the Tuning Fork and Mitchell Street.

Stage 1 -  Begin saw cutting pavement in anticipation of replacing first 500-LF of main and water and sewer services from Tuning Fork to Stewart Avenue.  This work will take approximately 1 week to complete.  On or around May 7, 2018 excavation and replacement of main and appurtenances will begin.  Schuyler Place will be closed to through traffic during Stage 1 work.

Stage 2 - Begin the replacement of the next 500-LF of main and water and sewer services from Stewart Avenue to Quarry Street.

Stage 3 - Begin the replacement of main and water and sewer services from Quarry Street to Mitchell Street.

LOCAL IMPACTS: East State Street will be reduced to a single lane controlled by one-way traffic lights.  Signals will be erected at the eastbound E. Green Street turning lane at the Tuning Fork and on the westbound lane between Schuyler Place and Stewart Avenue.  Expect heavy east and westbound State Street delays.  

RECOMMENDED DETOURS: From E. Green Street heading eastbound onto East State Street – Will be controlled with a one-way traffic light.  From East State Street, heading westbound into City – Will be controlled with a one-way traffic light.  Schuyler Place – Will be closed to thru traffic.  Eastbound vehicles heading along Buffalo will be directed past Schuyler Pl to Stewart Avenue.  Westbound traffic heading along Buffalo will be directed past Schuyler Pl to Aurora Street.

From Route 96/Aurora Street/The Commons area – State Street will be closed to thru traffic inside the Tuning Fork between East Green Street and Seneca Way. Traffic heading north bound into the City who then turn eastward onto the 300 block of State Street will be diverted northward onto Seneca Way.   

The entire project is scheduled to be complete on or around October 15, 2018. 

To receive regular email updates please register for Swift911 and be sure to look for the “+ Subscriptions” and add “Construction Updates”.

General questions and concerns from the community can be forwarded to Melody Faraday via email at mfaraday@cityofithaca.org or direct line (607) 274-6571.

Questions specific to the project can be forwarded to the Water & Sewer Division at (607) 272-1717. 

Hector Street Complete Street Project

City of Ithaca staff and consulting engineers will host a public open house style meeting for The Hector Street Complete Street Project on Monday, May 7, 2018 from 4pm to 6pm in the cafeteria of Lehman Alternative Community School at 402 Chestnut St, Ithaca, NY.  The open house will showcase the current draft proposals for the corridor that were developed based on the City’s grant application, which was awarded by the NYS DOT in June 2017.  Erdman Anthony, consultant engineers, are currently working on an updated plan that will be presented at the public meeting.

The study area covers the portion of Hector Street (also known as Route 79), from Floral Avenue (Rt 13A) to 500 feet past the City/Town boundary line. Improvements to pedestrian conditions intend to connect to an existing path at Linderman Creek Apartments. The proposed goals are to extend the current sidewalk along the street, to enhance conditions for bicyclists, and to add 2 bus shelters along the corridor.

In addition, The City of Ithaca Engineering Office is soliciting public comment on the draft design report which is posted in the link below. Written comments can be submitted to Johnathan Licitra at JLicitra@cityofithaca.org, hand delivered, or mailed to the Engineering Office in City Hall, 108 East Green Street. Comments will be accepted until May 30, 2018.

History

The City of Ithaca has received $1,400,000 in federal funding assistance for a $1,700,000 project to enhance pedestrian, bicycling, and bus conditions and to improve safety along Hector Street (Rt. 79) between Floral Avenue and 500 feet past the City line towards Linderman Creek Apartments.  Key goals of this project include:

1. Connect to the existing Hector Street sidewalk and constructing 4,100 linear feet of new sidewalk
2. Create an uphill bike lane along Hector Street
3. Establish 2 enhanced bus stops at Warren Place and North Taylor Place
4. Enhance walking and bicycling conditions throughout the corridor—including across municipal boundaries via a cost-sharing agreement with the Town of Ithaca
5. Improve traffic safety in the vicinity via select infrastructure investments in curbing, stormwater pipes, retaining walls, and street lighting

These funds were made available from the Federal Highway Administration’s Transportation Alternatives Program and are administered by the New York State Department of Transportation. The funds cover 80 percent of the cost of each project, with the remaining 20 percent coming from the project sponsor. Final engineering is scheduled for 2018 and construction is scheduled for Winter and Spring 2019.

Hector Street Complete Street Project Draft Scoping Report / Final Design Report

For more information, contact Johnathan Licitra, Sidewalk Program Manager, 274-6534.

City Bridge Repair Project

PROJECT LOCATION: S Albany Street Bridge, E Clinton Street Bridge, Columbia St
Pedestrian Bridge, N Cayuga Street Bridge, and Stewart Avenue Bridge over Fall Creek

PROJECT START DATE: May 7, 2018

PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND GOAL: The project consists of replacing joint seals at
various bridges in the city. Additionally, milling and paving of the North Cayuga Street
Bridge will be completed

LOCAL IMPACTS: During construction, the contractor will maintain at least one lane
and one sidewalk open for traffic and pedestrians at all times. Each bridge's repair work is
expected to last 2-3 days.

DETOURS IN PLACE: None

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE: June, 1st 2018

Questions can be forwarded to the Engineering Division at (607) 274-6530.