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State begins construction project on Ellicott Street

By Howard B. Owens

Contractors working for the state Department of Transportation began working on Ellicott Street, Batavia, this morning.

A 1.7-mile stretch will be milled and resurfaced. By the end of the project, the four-lane roadway will be reduced to three lanes and bike lanes will be added.

Bob Price

Let's hope the bicycle riders see where the curbs come out to the street when they're riding(you know, when they're riding w/ no hands on handlebars and texting or talking on phone)........hey,and can the state paint arrows on the path showing which way the bicyclists SHOULD be traveling? Lately wherever I go,I see bicyclists riding the WRONG way on the street/road.

Sep 7, 2010, 3:20pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

It is actually illegal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk.
—AC 19-176 - Riding bicycles on sidewalks is prohibited. Bicycles may be confiscated.

Sep 7, 2010, 4:09pm Permalink
Mark Janofsky

"I just help but wonder if the true purpose of this project isn't to simply try and divert more traffic to the Thruway."

I think it’s about the accidents. There are a lot of accidents each year on Ellicott Street. Talk to the police department, have them look up accidents and see what they get.

Sep 7, 2010, 4:58pm Permalink
Paula Ferraro

Beth, I would have to disagree. I use Oak multiple times a day. If I'm on Oak and make a left turn, there are cars AND tractor trailers passing me on the right. If I make a right turn, the vehicles are right on my bumper or will even cross the center line to go around on the left. If I attempt to enter Oak during peak times, I sit and wait much longer than I previously did. There are times when traffic backs up at Main St. almost to Richmond. I'm not sure what Ellicott will be like.

Sep 8, 2010, 12:06am Permalink
Beth Kinsley

I live on Oak Street and have had no problems - including backing onto it during rush hour traffic every morning. I don't understand how traffic can back up at Main Street almost to Richmond? They don't intersect.

Sep 8, 2010, 8:27am Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Peter,I think one of the reasons they choose non enforcement is due to all the traffic, and the lack of reasonable space in the roadway for bicyce traffic. You would have to be a daredevil at the very least, to attempt cycling during rush hour, it only adds to the chaos.

Sep 8, 2010, 11:20am Permalink
jonathan bell

we have ALOT of roads with bike lanes in colorado and it does helpthe riders stay in there lane and most actually obey the laws and stop at stop signs and red lights 3 lanes on elicott for a majority of the time is fine and themresurfacing only 3 lanes instead of 4 is a money saver and its only 1.7 miles if traffic gets backed up theres always law st north st or main. not like batavia has millions of people onthe roads all the time

Sep 8, 2010, 8:14pm Permalink

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