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Board raises safety concerns at Stony Point–Ransom intersection as new development advances
Summary
Grand Island traffic advisers urged further study of traffic controls at the Stony Point Road and Ransom Road intersection, questioned a proposed traffic signal and asked for consideration of a roundabout and other design changes tied to a planned Northeast Corner development.
The Grand Island Traffic and Safety Advisory Board on Feb. 11 pressed for more analysis of traffic controls at the intersection of Stony Point Road and Ransom Road in light of a proposed residential and apartment development in the northeast corner of the area.
A memorandum the board discussed, submitted to the town board by Eric Thompson, chair of the Planning Board, said the traffic study "apparently does not consider school buses in their analysis" and stated, "We do not agree with the proposed installation of a traffic signal or a right turn lane. We would like to see an analysis of a roundabout as a traffic control method included in the study." The board repeated that request during the meeting.
The board discussed concerns about short, intense periods of congestion during school arrival and dismissal. Members noted that school buses require extra space to turn and that backups can extend deeply into travel lanes. One advisory-board speaker summarized the problem: during morning and afternoon peaks, "that 15 to 45 minute time frame" can produce long lines of vehicles, school buses waiting for gaps and conditions that increase crash risk. The speaker added that installing a signal could create gridlock during those peak windows.
Board members also reported that Greater Buffalo–Niagara Regional Transportation Council (GBNRTC) modeling tools can evaluate alternatives, including roundabouts. A board member explained that GBNRTC runs intersection scenarios from traffic-count inputs and recommends the best treatments; the board said the town is not a GBNRTC member and may need county assistance to request an analysis.
Members discussed how the developer had been reported to be responsible for the cost of any signal and noted uncertainty about maintenance and jurisdiction once installed. The board reiterated a preferred design goal: reduce the number of vehicles entering Ransom Road directly by encouraging the development to prioritize Stony Point access where feasible.
Why it matters: board members said the intersection experiences significant, concentrated congestion tied to school travel and nearby development; they urged the town to secure a full multimodal analysis before the town accepts or installs a permanent signal.
The board did not adopt a formal new policy at the Feb. 11 meeting. Members agreed to forward their comments to planning and county contacts for further study and to request that the traffic study include school-bus operations and a roundabout alternative.
