Common Council passes initiatives to fix traffic infrastructure, sidewalks
In a previous meeting, the Syracuse City Common Council's City Planning Commission discussed SU's proposal for two new dormitories. The council unanimously authorized two programs in efforts to decrease traffic congestion and vehicle speeds at its latest meeting. Brycen Pace | Asst. Photo Editor
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The Syracuse City Common Council passed two traffic programs aiming to update the city’s traffic infrastructure and decrease traffic congestion and vehicle speeding during its Monday meeting.
The council also approved the continuation of the Department of Public Works’ Sidewalk Capital Improvement Program.
Both programs, proposed on behalf of DPW, adhere to Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh’s Vision Zero initiative. The initiative, implemented in Jan. 2023, aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safety, health and equitable mobility. It promotes a safe road culture and uses city resources responsibly to design safe streets, according to its website.
The Traffic Management Center Equipment and Capital Improvement Program will allow the city to efficiently respond to changes in the transportation network and address possible signal outages. The Radar Sign Program, the second program passed, will be used to purchase and install new stationary radar equipment in school zones to collect traffic data and help reduce vehicle speeds in those zones.
Under the new traffic initiatives, the city will replace broken traffic cameras and any failed servers, proprietary software or other related network items. With the new equipment, the city can respond faster to changes in the transportation network, specifically related to traffic issues. The initiative will also allow the city to add new software controllers, which will help monitor traffic signals and address maintenance and safety concerns.
The council also approved the continuation of the DPW Sidewalk Improvement Program to complete sidewalk construction on roads being milled and paved by city crews or outside contractors.
The program is the city’s latest effort to improve its sidewalks after it started the Municipal Sidewalk Program in 2021, which revamped city sidewalks to include Americans with Disabilities Act-approved disability ramps. The program also installed new trees and green spaces along sidewalks.
Other business:
- The council approved the installation of an honorary street sign for the 65th anniversary of Webster Pond, a nature sanctuary maintained by community volunteers. The council recognized volunteer Chad Norton, who has cerebral palsy, for his work on the pond.
- Before closing the meeting, Patrick Hogan, councilor for the city’s 2nd district, addressed an alleged “verbal confrontation” that occurred after last week’s study session between Walsh and Marty Nave, councilor for the city’s 1st district. Hogan, who is running for mayor, said he expected “better behavior” from Walsh.
