AFTER PUSH, SCHUMER ANNOUNCES NEW SIGN ON I-690 TO DIVERT TRUCK TRAFFIC AWAY FROM VILLAGE OF BALDWINSVILLE – SIGNAGE WILL ALLEVIATE TRAFFIC IN DOWNTOWN BALDWINSVILLE AND ALERT TRUCK DRIVERS TO MORE DIRECT ROUTE TO RT-31
After Local Officials Raised Traffic Issue to Schumer, Senator Weighed in With NYS Dept. of Transportation to Put up a New Sign Directing Traffic to More Efficient Route to Rt. 31
Trucks Had Been Passing Through Baldwinsville to Get to Rt. 31 Without Knowledge of Quicker, More Direct Route – Schumer Pressed For Signage on I-690 to Alert Drivers Before Baldwinsville Exit
Schumer: Sign a Win-Win-Win for Baldwinsville Residents, Businesses, & Central NY Drivers – Will Alleviate Traffic in Downtown and Cut Down on Travel Time for Drivers Headed to Rt. 31
Yesterday, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that, after his push, the New York State Dept. of Transportation has put up a sign on I-690 West to redirect trucks traveling to Rt. 31 to an exit past the town of Baldwinsville, which will alleviate traffic and congestion in downtown Baldwinsville and improve public safety. Truck drivers had been mistakenly using the Baldwinsville exit as a way to reach Rt. 31 when a more direct route was available. If they had stayed on 1-690 to the Hencle Blvd. exit, which was built specifically for drivers to bypass downtown Baldwinsville and continue to Rt. 31 East, they could avoid the small intersections and congestion in Baldwinsville. After the Mayor of Baldwinsville alerted Senator Schumer of the problem, he weighed in with the state DOT to request they put up a sign alerting drivers of the more efficient route, using funds from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
“The new sign on route I-690 West is a huge win for the village of Baldwinsville that will cut down on congestion, improve public safety, and reduce the strain on their infrastructure,” said Schumer. “Adding something as simple as a sign to direct traffic to a more direct route that avoids Baldwinsville was a no-brainer, and I’m glad the State Dept. of Transportation was so responsive. This will alleviate the headache of constant tractor trailer traffic, making downtown Baldwinsville a safer place to live, visit, and do business.”
"It all began in a personal meeting with Senator Schumer, where I communicated the dangers of increased truck traffic through our Village,” said Baldwinsville Mayor Joe Saraceni. “The Senator and his staff made our local issue a priority and worked with us to formulate a plan to tackle the problem. Today’s news, touting the sign that has been installed on Route 690, is just what we wanted and will definitely reduce the amount of tractor trailers passing through our Village. We thank Senator Schumer for his persistent advocacy and the DOT for listening loud and clear.”
Before the sign was put up on I-690 West, the village of Baldwinsville did a traffic study to demonstrate the frequency of tractor trailer traffic through their downtown. They recorded the number of tractor trailer trucks traveling through the Rte. 48/31 intersection of the village. A total of 104 tractor trailers traveled through the village on one day, a Tuesday, between 7am and 7pm. The study also showed that trucks could not fit in the intersection and were jumping curbs. 54% of the trucks were bound for Rt. 31 East, which had a more direct exit further down I-690, and not a single truck had a destination in the village to reach. Schumer applauded the state DOT’s decision to put up a sign before the Baldwinsville exit alerting drivers of the shortcut to Rt. 31 East further down the interstate.