We are submitting this petition as part of an organized effort to mitigate deteriorating traffic issues associated with New York State Route 13A in the City and Town of Ithaca. We have observed increases in traffic levels, aggressive driving, and accidents and feel the situation in our neighborhood is dangerous to us as residents, and also for those passing through our neighborhood, especially pedestrians and cyclists. The purpose of this letter is to register our concerns about NYS Rte 13A.

Concerns:

· Excessive speed in general. In particular, motorists drive very fast in the
straightaways; one is from 79 onto Floral Ave (an area where residents have to park on the inlet side and then cross 13A to reach their homes), and the other between Coy Glen Rd and Bostwick Rd. Speeding is worst during evening commuting hours, and with trucks late into the night. Excessive speeds pose dangers to those of us slowing to turn into our driveways and there have been many near-misses where cars veer into our lawns to avoid rear-ending a turning vehicle. Furthermore, all of the issues below are all intensified by high speeds.

· High volumes of trucks. We understand that 13A is a New York State truck route. The number of trucks has increased in recent years and it is disruptive to those living on the road. They are very loud and shake our homes, wake us at night, and often travel at high speeds and drift into the shoulder (where there is one) endangering pedestrians and bicyclists (not to mention frequently downed mailboxes). The issues below are all intensified by the increasing volume of truck traffic.

· Bostwick Road intersection. There are occasional accidents and daily near-misses due to excessive speed and reckless overtaking by drivers impatient with traffic slowing to turn onto Bostwick. Furthermore, because of the speed at which people travel on the straightaway approaching the Bostwick Road intersection, motorists miss the intersection and nearby residents experience excessive turning around in their driveways as motorists double back. This has caused damage to private driveways and creates unsafe conditions for children playing in driveways and yards.

· Dangerous conditions for pedestrians and cyclists between Towerview
Apartments and the Town-City line. This portion of the road has no sidewalks or space for bicyclists and pedestrians, creating very unsafe conditions for all. The Amabel Neighborhood, currently being built, will increase residential traffic. Motorists understandably wish to pass slow moving bicyclists and often do so in ways that endanger oncoming traffic, and/or the bicyclists they are passing. We know of many instances where cyclists have fallen when fast moving vehicles left them no room to navigate. Along Floral Ave, at least one of these involved a truck sideswiping a bike, nearly killing the cyclist.·

· Inappropriate infrastructure for trucks at intersection of 13A and Route 79. Large truck traffic turning onto/off of 13A regularly drives on median, bike lane and/or sidewalk. Their cumbersome size, in an area where adolescents frequently travel to a public school on Elm Street and where the crosswalk is not readily visible to those turning onto 13A, does not allow drivers the maneuverability to prioritize and safeguard pedestrians and cyclists,.
A NYS DOT traffic study was conducted in March 2019 (Case 3180350, File 50.12-13A) which concluded there was no basis for lowering the speed limit along the 45 MPH segment of Route 13A. We understand that there will be another traffic study done on 13A this year and we expect it will show an increase in overall traffic volume and the proportion of truck traffic. As residents and users of this road, changing traffic patterns are affecting our quality of life.

Last week a cyclist was hit by a car along the Floral Ave straightaway, and has passed away as result of his injuries. We urge you to address the hazardous conditions on Floral Ave/Five Mile Drive/13A before further accidents occur where others are injured, if not killed.

From discussions of these concerns with city, town, and state officials, as well as citizens living on or adjacent to the route, various measures have been surfaced that could improve the situation. We are interested in pursuing the viability of the following measures to improve safety along 13A:

1. Reducing Speed:
a. To 25 MPH in the city (Floral Ave) where the narrow street with tall, granite
curb make it very hazardous for pedestrian and bicycle traffic (along 1⁄2 of
which there is no sidewalk)
b. To 30 MPH in the town (Five Mile Drive) where fast moving vehicles
discourage and endanger residents from walking and cycling.
c. Assessing the impact of emergency vehicles, including police, speeding
along the route far in excess of speed limits, necessitating traffic to move
aside where there is limited space for ordinary traffic and thus further
endangering all using the roadway.

2. Implement Traffic Calming Measures such as “speed cushions” to slow
vehicles while allowing for easy passage of emergency vehicles, along the road where there are no shoulders and/or tall curbs or where there are numerous accidents (e.g. intersection with Bostwick Road).

3. Limiting Large Truck Traffic
a. Implementing a size and weight limit to trucks for access to Route 13A (as
it was not designed for safe passage of such vehicles, and at the north
terminus onto Route 79 are unable to safely navigate the intersection)
b. Study the pattern of truck traffic on the safety of citizens using the road as
the only viable alternative to Route 13 for accessing the city from the
south east.

4. Extend Sidewalk and Create a Bike Lane along Floral Avenue to the town line, where the road widens and a shoulder is available. This may require a further narrowing of the road making it even more prudent to lower the speed limit and constrain truck traffic.

We thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,

Concerned Residents and Neighbors of NY SR 13A