Legislature hears concerns about proposed Miracle Mile redesign; member to attend stakeholder meeting
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Summary
Chemung County legislators discussed a potential state-led reconfiguration of the Miracle Mile, with concerns about traffic, safety and notification. Legislator Rodney Strange will attend a Wednesday stakeholder meeting and report back to colleagues before any resolution opposing the work is drafted.
Members of the Chemung County Legislature discussed recent proposals for state work on the Miracle Mile and whether the legislature should draft a public resolution opposing a design that could reduce the roadway from four lanes to two.
Presiding officer opened the new-business discussion saying Rodney Strange had requested the legislature consider a resolution opposing state work on the Miracle Mile. The presiding officer asked whether members wanted staff to draft such a resolution or whether further discussion was needed.
Several legislators raised concerns about both safety and process. One legislator asked, "Does anybody know what the basis of this is? I was a little stunned because it looks like nonsense to me," noting surprise at the idea of converting four lanes to two. A local business owner representing offices on the corridor said, "I heard you say that businesses were notified. And yet, one of my offices is on that road, and we were not notified," and said frequent near-misses and accidents make any change consequential for safety and access.
Rodney Strange, who said he serves on the local transportation council, described the status as conceptual and limited to stakeholder outreach: "They looked into... we've had a lot of discussions about bicycles on that road, the safety of people walking on that road. They looked at possibly putting sidewalks on that road, but they determined that it would take too much private property... It's gonna be held Wednesday at 1:00 in our conference room. They will explain the whole process... If they determine that there is no public support for this, it will not happen." He also noted the road is scheduled for repaving and a bridge replacement next year, which factors into timing and design choices.
Another legislator cautioned that while many oppose the concept, the state's involvement brings potential funding for needed infrastructure: "While we all oppose it, the state actually wants to do something in our area, which is a good thing... it's not an insignificant amount of money." Members discussed alternatives such as increased enforcement or speed reductions as ways to improve safety without changing lane configuration.
After discussion members directed Rodney Strange to attend the stakeholder meeting on Wednesday and provide information to legislators who cannot attend. The legislature did not vote on a formal opposition resolution at the meeting; members agreed to await the stakeholder meeting outcome and further information before drafting any resolution.
The meeting adjourned following the direction to await the stakeholder briefing.
