City of Cortland to Look at Reducing Speed Limit on Portion of Route 281; Removal of Railroad Crossings on Tompkins and Delaware

During Tuesday’ Common Council meeting Cortland Mayor Scott Steve provided information from last week’s Board of Public Works meeting on some recommendations the board had made.

One of those recommendations is looking at traffic safety improvements on Route 281 between Madison Street and Blue Creek Road. Mayor Steve noted one area along that section of 281 is the merge area for northbound traffic. He added motorists typically speed up to merge into traffic in that area. Currently, that portion of Route 281 is 35 mph.

The Board of Public Works voted unanimously to allow Mayor Steve draft a correspondence to the New York State Department of Transportation requesting them to review and consider a need for traffic safety improvements.

It was also discussed the possibility of removing the railroad crossings on Tompkins Street and Delaware Ave. Both crossings are currently defunct and no longer have train traffic using them. The crossing on Tompkins Street was noted to have issues in terms of pot-holes, pieces of the track lifting up, and motorists swerving trying to avoid the bumps; possibly causing traffic issues.

Removal of the tracks would be a challenge though as if the possibility of a business coming to the area in the future who would utilize the tracks for cargo would then need the crossings reinstalled. Estimates on the cost to reinstall the tracks could range between $250,000 to $500,000 dollars. Mayor Steve noted the high cost is due to the crossings would have to comply with current standards. Mayor Steve is expected to discuss the possibility of removal of the crossings with the New York Susquehanna & Western Railway and if it is feasible.