US Route 11 Active Transport Project Potential Designs

Over the past nine months, the Clarkson Construction Engineering Management Consulting Group (C3G) has been working in conjunction with the St. Lawrence County Health Initiative, as well as the Town and Village of Potsdam to develop a concept plan for active transportation and traffic improvements along the Route 11 corridor from Clarkson University to Walmart. A walkability survey, as well as multiple public input sessions, have helped produce potential solutions to promote safe transportation for all. This Story Map aims to provide three potential solutions that promote safe transportation. The solutions are ordered from most robust to least robust.

In the walkability survey, respondents were asked questions about the safety and accessibility of Route 11 for walkers and bikers. Three key questions that this survey asked were: would you benefit from having sidewalks/bike lanes, are there enough crosswalks, and is Route 11 well lit at night. Of the 214 responses, over half of all respondents felt they would benefit from having sidewalks/bike lanes, there are not enough crosswalks, and Route 11 is not well lit at night. With these responses in mind, coupled with further feedback at public meetings that supported these survey results, the above improvements are proposed. Bike lanes connecting Clarkson University to the Walmart intersection would be installed on the North side of Route 11. However, on the South side it would be a shared use path, allowing for both walkers and bikers to safely travel along the roadway.

Two graphics are shown below depicting what the changes at the Clarkson back entrance and Walmart intersection might potentially look like.

The following two images show roadway cross sections for each of the mocks shown above.

A physical barrier separating pedestrians from vehicles is also heavily encouraged. The average shoulder along Route 11 is 10 feet, so parts of the right of way may be needed to fit all necessary improvements. The purple line seen above in the Robust Improvements map is also a viable exchange for the sidewalk and bike lane to become a boardwalk.

Multiple additional crosswalks are highlighted in blue on the map above, based upon areas of high pedestrian traffic and key businesses of interest. More lighting is also suggested on the South side of Route 11 within the Town of Potsdam to help enhance the safety of walking and biking at night. Based upon conversations with St. Lawrence County Transit riders and residents, bus shelters were also placed at Willow Tree and the Mobil Station to help improve bus accessibility.

Finally, a roundabout is suggested at the Maple, Pine, Sandstone, Clarkson Ave intersection to help improve traffic flow. The proposed roundabout is highlighted above by the red circle. The removal of the Morley-Potsdam intersection is also recommended in favor of a dead end road, and a new road connecting Morley-Potsdam with the Walmart intersection.

The same goals surrounding accessibility and safety are represented by this moderate proposal, however, the issue of shoulder width is better addressed. A separated path incorporating both a bike lane and sidewalk would run from Clarkson University to the Walmart intersection on the South side of Route 11. This shared use lane would incorporate existing pavement and allow for both walkers and bikers to utilize the path going in both directions. The implementation of a barrier is still recommended.

The following graphic depicts what the changes along Route 11 might potentially look like.

The following image shows the roadway cross sections for the mock shown above.

This final suggestion would only enhance the safety of walking and biking along Route 11 by improving the lighting and street crossings. This proposal is geared towards being the cheapest option, while still trying to improve the accessibility and safety of the study area. Pedestrians would continue utilizing the shoulder without a protective barrier, as they currently do. Improved lighting would help with safe travel at night, while crosswalks and bus shelters would improve accessibility.

The remaining suggested improvements of the most robust design, from Clarkson's back entrance to Walmart, remain unchanged from the above proposal. This fourth proposed improvement seeks to incorporate feedback into a design that better serves both pedestrians and cyclists who travel along Route 11.