Cortland County Launches Route 13 Corridor Safety and Connectivity Project

What would it take to make the Route 13 corridor safer, more accessible, and better connected for everyone who travels through it? This fall, Cortland County is taking a closer look through a new community planning and design project focused on the corridor.

In summer 2026, Way2Go Cortland Mobility Management, within the Cortland County Department of Planning and Economic Development, was selected for a 2026 Design Connect project through Cornell University. During the fall semester, a team of Cornell students will study the Route 13 corridor from Folmer Avenue to Aldi and develop recommendations focused on traffic and pedestrian safety, accessibility, and connectivity.

Design Connect is a student-run community design and planning organization at Cornell University that connects communities with student expertise to address real-world planning and design challenges. Over the next three months, the Design Connect team will work with Cortland County, in coordination with the New York State Department of Transportation and the Town of Cortlandville, to analyze the corridor, engage with the community, and develop preliminary concepts for future improvements.

The project will examine pedestrian and bicycle improvements, connectivity, traffic safety, streetscape enhancements, and preliminary design concepts for priority locations along the corridor. The team will also develop visual renderings to help residents and local decision-makers better understand what potential improvements could look like.

Community input will be an important part of the project. Residents, business owners and employees, and others who travel along the corridor will have opportunities to share their experiences and identify areas where safety, accessibility, and connectivity could be improved. An online community survey will also be available to gather feedback throughout the project.

Join Us October 13

A community engagement event will be held Tuesday, October 13, at the Cortlandville Fire Station on Tompkins Street. Two sessions will be offered at 2:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Participants may attend whichever session works best for them, and no registration is required. The event is accessible via Centro Route 6.

Whether you regularly walk or bike along Route 13, drive the corridor, own or work at a nearby business, use a mobility device, or simply have an experience to share, your perspective can help inform the project.

Residents are encouraged to attend the October 13 event, complete the community survey, and share their experiences with the project team. Community input will help the Design Connect team better understand how people currently experience the corridor, identify challenges and opportunities, and inform concepts for potential future improvements. To learn more or find out how to participate, contact Way2Go Cortland staff atMobility@cortlandcountyny.com, (607) 758-3416, or (607) 753-5569. For countywide transportation and mobility information, visit Way2GoCortland.com.