We are working to improve safety on Ellis Hollow Road as we've seen an ever-growing number of bicyclists, running groups and families using the road for recreation.  We've simultaneously noticed an increase in speeding, and larger vehicles using it as a thruway and alternative to route 79.  When you combine these factors of vehicular and recreational expansion, we have a recipe for calamity. We all know stories of pets and even small children walking into the road; lucky thus far to have avoided the worst. This was not the case for one of our community members who was killed riding his bike on Turkey Hill Road in January 2019. 

There has been a particular increase in recreation in the section of Ellis Hollow Road between Dodge Road and Turkey Hill Road, in which the shoulder is used by bicyclists, runners, and walkers aiming to access Dodge Road and the newly opened Dryden Rail Trail. Below are a series of steps that we are asking to be considered in order to improve the safety of our neighbors while respecting the needs of motorists and town planners.  

Speed Limit Reduction:  First, we would like to request a 10mph decrease in the speed limit.   It’s a general understanding that people will drive up to 10 miles faster than a posted speed limit.  That means cars will drive at least 55 MPH on a residential neighborhood road.  That’s highway speed, not residential community speed.  

Signage & Shoulder Safety:  We have taken to creating and posting our own signs to motorists about the young children, pets and bicyclists on our shoulders.  We ask that the town post appropriate signage to this effect.  Examples:  No Trucks, Children at Play, Bicyclists, Slow for Children and flashing radar/speed reminders.  

Passing Lanes:  Remove all passing lanes from Ellis Hollow Road; this is not necessary on a residential road and very dangerous.  For example, the passing lane near 1172 Ellis Hollow is at this heavily trafficked area for bikers, walkers and families accessing Dodge Road.  Cars pass at extremely high speed in this section and it creates one of the most clear and dangerous opportunities for an avoidable accident.  

Limits on Trucks: Outside of the necessary truck deliveries on Ellis Hollow Road, 18-wheelers, dump trucks and wide load vehicles should be banned from Ellis Hollow and moved to route 79.  We’ve tracked the use of dump trucks going to and from Quarry Road for spoils and stone as well as Brooktondale for stone/cement.  The number of dump trucks have been on a significant rise over the past several years and this is one of the most significant concerns in our neighborhood.  Given the number of walkers and cyclists, the space these larger vehicles take up and the risk they pose is too high for a residential community.  Wider roads like 79 are designed to handle these larger vehicles and should be the only place for their use.  These larger vehicles are also contributing to a faster wear and tear of the newly paved roads - adding an unnecessary financial burden to the Town.