SIGN THE PETITION. DEMAND SAFETY NOW.

TO: New York State Officials, including the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner.

How many more families must be devastated before you act to protect the people who drive this essential state road?

We, the undersigned concerned residents and commuters of the Capital Region, join Bethlehem Town Board Member David DeCancio and Albany City Councilman Jack Flynn in calling upon the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to immediately recognize this public safety crisis.

We call on the State to prioritize, fund, and implement comprehensive safety improvements on Route 85 in the Town of Bethlehem to protect every driver using this road and end the heartbreak for Albany County families.

 The Corridor of Crisis and Heartbreak
The tragic, longstanding history of fatal head-on collisions on Route 85 in Bethlehem demands immediate state intervention to address this unnecessary risk to Capital Region commuters. The loss of life and continued danger on this section of Route 85, particularly due to the current lane reduction funnel on both ends of the Bethlehem section of this highway, demands urgent corrective action.

Our Call for Immediate Action

We call on the NYSDOT to take the following steps immediately to stop the continued risk and protect our drivers on Route 85:

1) Immediate Safety Assessment: Conduct a rapid, transparent, and comprehensive safety audit of Route 85, and publicly release the findings within 30 days.

2) Prioritize Funding for Short-Term Solutions: Immediately prioritize and allocate funding for effective short-term safety measures.

3) Develop Long-Term Solutions: Commit to developing and fully funding a permanent, long-term safety plan to permanently mitigate the danger.

SIGN THE PETITION. DEMAND SAFETY NOW.

*Photo credit, Spotlight News/John McIntyre: May 1, 2024, Morning crash on Route 85 claims life, snarls traffic.