Letter to the Unified Planning Work Program - Upgrading the Bay Outlet Bridge for Year-Round Access
Letter
I am writing in support of the Town of Irondequoit's application for federal Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) funding to initiate a Sea Breeze Transportation Improvement Study to study potential solutions to provide year-round access across the Bay Outlet Bridge and to boost overall circulation, access, and parking in this popular area. As you know the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) federally-designated Metropolitan Planning Organizations like the nine-county Genesee Transportation Council, will allocate federal transportation funding to local municipalities to initiate planning, analysis, and initial design for local transportation projects.
For decades, local residents, businesses, motorists, and elected officials have sought a better solution to accommodate vehicle, pedestrian, and boater access across the Irondequoit Bay channel throughout the entire year, but the lack of feasibility and planning funding has prevented consideration and analysis of possible alternatives. This project will seek funding to assess the feasibility of potential alternatives to provide year round access across the Bay Outlet. This study is the first step needed to prioritize an alternative and position it to ultimately secure design or construction funding.
This project fits squarely within the UPWP criteria to fund projects that "add to the efficiency of the regional transportation network, improve residents' quality of life, and enhance community character" all while bolstering public safety and economic activity. More than 5,600 vehicles cross the bridge daily between November 1 and March 31 each year, but the lack of the bridge during the intervening months forces motorists to instead traverse an up to ten mile detour and significantly hampers local merchants and businesses' ability to attract customers, particularly during the popular summer months. Moreover, the lack of vehicle access is a public safety concern. The bridge provides critical access for emergency personal and first responders as evidenced during the tragic 2012 Christmas Eve attack, and provides an evacuation route in the event of an emergency such as during Superstorm Sandy or in the event of an emergency at the nearby Ginna nuclear power plant. I appreciate your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator
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