New traffic pattern for downtown Utica

[Atticus Pizzaballa]

Good luck with this

Utica begins work on temporary Genesee Street traffic pattern change

Utica, N.Y.-- Drivers in Utica may notice something different on Genesee Street between Cottage Place and Oriskany Street. The city began work on laying out striping for a temporary traffic pattern on the thoroughfare. The traffic pattern, which will be a 90-day trial, will reduce vehicle travel lanes from two lanes to one lane both north and southbound. In addition, a center turning and delivery lane and north and southbound bicycle lanes will be added. The traffic pattern will take effect once the lines are painted.



www.wktv.com/news/utica-begins-work-on-temporary-genesee-street-traffic-pattern-change/article_80f11994-523f-11ed-9831-2770b77dafe3.html

[Clipper]

It will certainly make navigation different for buses and delivery trucks. and parking is probably already a problem downtown. Businesses are not going to like it when people don't patronize their business because there is no place to park.

[Atticus Pizzaballa]

Oct 23, 2022 14:52:08 GMT -5 Clipper said:

It will certainly make navigation different for buses and delivery trucks. and parking is probably already a problem downtown. Businesses are not going to like it when people don't patronize their business because there is no place to park.

On top of that is the fact that the parking garage ( which will be huge) for the new hospital will not be ready until 7 months after the hospital opens. Where will all hospital employees and patients families even be able to park. Someone said have them park at the other hospitals and then have shuttle buses take them all to the new hospital. 

[Ralph]

   Everyone I have spoken with since this was proposed a while ago didn't want it.  But, what do we know, we're going to get it anyway.   And "90 days" my ass, the roads will be covered with snow by then and they will put if off until spring, IF they decide to change it back.
   Which I am betting they won't.
   Sooooo tired of living here and having things shoved down our throats. 
   I started going Down Genny to work when they started all the construction work on the hospital and clogged up State Street. Now I guess I will have to go through the combat zone on the Square and down State Street to Rout 12 and pray.

[BHU]

Try to get on N. Genny off Oriskany Blvd. You'll have time to eat your lunch waiting for that green arrow to go left. I avoid that area as much as I can & the dastardly roundabout that they built just east of Oriskany Blvd is another headache. Most municipalities stopped building roundabouts 20 years ago but when you live in Dogpatch County it takes a while to catch up with the rest of the Country so we're right on track. Maybe now with the newfangled traffic pattern they can get around to synchronizing the traffic lights on Genny that LaPolla promised to do 30 years ago when he was mayor. But.....when you live in Dogpatch County blah, blah, blah.

[clarencebunsen]

I thought the round abouts were state decisions not city.

[Atticus Pizzaballa]

I took the Genesee St Bus South today to SangertowN Mall and the new driving pattern was started. It was the 2 PM Bus and traffic is usually heavy aroung then but the trip up Genny to Oneida Street roundabout was the fasted I have ever gone the whole process for the one lane North ans South ran perfectly. So maybe this will be a win win situation. I like the fact that much more parking has been added on both sides of Genny all the way up to MWPI Museum and the center land works nicely for right or left turns. The bike lanes are great and that allows the Bus the ability to pull out of the traffic lane to pick u any passengers.

[Ralph]

   I've been continuing down Genny and so far it's not too bad, except when you get behind the bus, which now just stops dead in the lane to let folks off.
   I am usually traveling to work around 1:45 pm, so traffic is fairly light, but it's been lighter than usual this week and I think it's just because the majority of folks are just avoiding the area altogether.

[Atticus Pizzaballa]

Oct 31, 2022 13:25:13 GMT -5 Ralph said:

   I've been continuing down Genny and so far it's not too bad, except when you get behind the bus, which now just stops dead in the lane to let folks off.
   I am usually traveling to work around 1:45 pm, so traffic is fairly light, but it's been lighter than usual this week and I think it's just because the majority of folks are just avoiding the area altogether.

I have traveled a few times now and traffic does appear to be lighter especially in the afternoon. I was also wondering if some are avoiding the area. That could cause a problem if this is determined to stay after the 90 day trial. 

[Clipper]

I would say that they need to allow for bus stops in the curb lane so buses don't bring traffic flow to a dead stop at every corner.

[Ralph]

   I had to venture up to my work yesterday and wound up coming home a few minutes after 5:00 pm, the supposed rush hour.    I found the traffic surprisingly light, and as I was motoring along I noticed something else........it looks like a ghost town there.
   Maybe it was because it was Halloween and everyone was vacating the haunts, but other than noticing the employees from the Bank of Utica exiting the rear of the building, there was literally no one around.  I did notice a lot of store fronts vacant, a big bunch of them with windows boarded up, and just a lot of nothing.

   I decided to stay on Genny and get off after going through the roundabout at the Square.
What a God awful $hithole that has become!  People sleeping on the sidewalks and against the buildings in various states of nod, some with shirts some not.  I did see a couple of the crackheads that I have apprehended at my place sitting against the old Vyner's Drug store.  Got to love it........not.   And the look wouldn't be complete without the usual scum hanging around any building they can lean against.

   Truly sad to see what was once a bastion of the neighborhood sink to such a low point, of which there is surely no return from. 

[Atticus Pizzaballa]

Yup after 4 or 5 PM downtown is dead. I liked to walk down there when I lived on Bleecker St. In the winter all you see are some birds.

Those drug addicts up by the roundabout at Oneida are being taken care of by that Church adjacent to the roundabout I forgot its name. The pastor there allows then to use the bathroom and shower and even do their laundry. Many times when I ride up that way I see laundry hanging in the area. I saw a couple guys up there leaning against a wall drugged up like you would not believe just like zombies. It is a great view for any out of towners entering Utica from that direction.

[Atticus Pizzaballa]

From what I understand the Buses on Genny to New Hartford are supposed to pull into the bike lane when picking or dropping off passengers.