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DOT’s Canton-Potsdam bypass survey results expected next week

Posted 11/30/14

By JIMMY LAWTON CANTON – Results from the recent U.S. Route 11 bypass survey are expected soon from state transportation officials. Regional DOT spokesman Michael Flick said an executive summary …

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DOT’s Canton-Potsdam bypass survey results expected next week

Posted

By JIMMY LAWTON

CANTON – Results from the recent U.S. Route 11 bypass survey are expected soon from state transportation officials.

Regional DOT spokesman Michael Flick said an executive summary with information regarding the survey could be available by next week.

The study was ordered by the state and is being carried out by HDR Inc., a consulting firm with offices in Syracuse and Albany.

The goal is to determine if a bypass around Canton and Potsdam would be warranted.

Flick said the data will be compiled and reviewed along with information gathered from past studies to determine potential routes and the feasibility of building a bypass in the area.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo first announced the study in his 2014 “State of the State” address.

In his budget address Cuomo referred to the proposal as "Route 98," causing some confusion among advocates of an Interstate-standard highway across the North Country they have dubbed “I-98.”

Flick said the study is designed to help determine frequency of use and interest in a potential bypass.

"This is not a rooftop highway study. This is not a Northern Tier Expressway study," Flick said.

Flick said the DOT also collected data regarding turning counts at intersection..

Flick said public information meetings will also be planned as the study progress.

“There will be some public information meetings coming up in the not too distance future,” he said. “The public will have the opportunity to give feedback.”

He said that regardless of what the study shows, the collected data will be useful to the DOT for future planning.