Friends,

You’ll flip your lid over what’s about to happen in Endwell!

If getting around town on the north side of the river (Endwell-Endicott area) isn’t already a bit difficult, it’s about to get worse! But, with this change, we have the BEST opportunity for all of us to get in front of the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) to push the need for that Endwell-Vestal Bridge connecting into the highway!

 BUT, It’s up to you to help make the difference.

So here is what the DOT is up to.

The DOT will be resurfacing Route 17C later this year. This is the road that passes through Endwell and Endicott that we refer to and know as Main Street. After resurfacing, the roadway will take on a new appearance with new lane changes and you aren’t likely to like it!

Here it is!

A new three-lane configuration, comprised of two twelve-foot travel lanes, one eleven-foot center left-turn lane, and two five-foot shoulders (for Bike Lanes) will be marked from the interchange with State Route 26 to North Street. (This is from the bridge just east of UE High School all the way to the Main St - North St “Y” intersection near the Town of Union offices on Main St in Endwell)
 
So, what that means is that you will have one (1), yes, only one driving lane in each direction, a center turn lane (suicide lane) and bicycle lanes on each side of the road. This will likely back traffic up and slow it down during busy times of the day and weekend in both directions, and will be most noticed at the Main St / North St split for traffic going west.
 
Then, From North Street going east (Towards Johnson City), a configuration of two westbound lanes, one eastbound lane and one center left-turn lane will be marked to the Hooper Road interchange.
 
So, that means that you will lose one lane going east from that “Y” intersection to Hooper Road. That 2nd east bound lane that we are used to will now become a center turn lane (Suicide lane). Crazy, right?
 
Without a bridge connecting the highway (Rt 17 / I-86) to Main St, Endwell (near Hooper Rd)  and to Old Vestal Road, Vestal, this change makes no sense and will likely make travel on Main St as difficult as the Vestal Parkway and route 201. Maybe worse!
 
A public information meeting is being scheduled for the end of February. Regardless of which side of the river you live on, this is a chance for you to voice your opinion expressing the need for the Endwell-Vestal Bridge and a voice against this restriping (road narrowing) project.
 
This is your chance and we must come out in large numbers. We need that bridge! Can I count on you?
 
To be kept up-to-date on this lane change and public information session, as well as the bridge, Please send a quick email reply to: BuildTheBridge@BPoto.com  In the subject line put “Build the Bridge” In the Body of the email, please include your name and any other contact information or message you would like to include.
 
This meeting will be YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD! Let’s get this done! And feel free to bring ‘Build the Bridge” signs to the meeting. Let’s PACK THAT HEARING ROOM!