Roadwork begins near campus

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A. Sue Weisler

A state Department of Transportation project is designed to make important safety improvements at the intersection of Jefferson Road at John Street and Brighton Henrietta Town Line Road. Randy Vercauteren, director of Parking, Transportation and Building Services for Facilities Management Services, said he expects the project to have relatively minimal impact on the RIT community.

A state Department of Transportation (DOT) project that began Monday is designed to make important safety improvements at a busy intersection directly adjacent to the RIT campus.

The $824,000 project aims to make the intersection of Route 252 (Jefferson Road) at John Street and Brighton Henrietta Town Line Road safer for pedestrians and to help ease the flow of traffic. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced the work in a July 27 press release.

The work comes as RIT gears up for a new academic year, including the arrival of new and returning students to campus in the coming days. Randy Vercauteren, director of Parking, Transportation and Building Services for Facilities Management Services, said he expects the project to have relatively minimal impact on the RIT community.

“Like any construction project, there will be some disruption,” Vercauteren said. “We’ve been assured by the state DOT, however, that it plans to do much of the major work at lower traffic times. We appreciate people’s patience and cooperation during this roadwork.”

The project will alter the lane configurations of John Street and Brighton Henrietta Town Line Road at Jefferson Road. John Street, approaching the intersection, will be reconfigured from two lanes to three to include a left-turn lane, a through lane and a right-turn lane.

Similar modifications will occur on Brighton Henrietta Town Line Road approaching the intersection. Work will involve widening the intersection and resurfacing pavement on both approaches. The project includes installation of a new traffic signal, drainage modifications, new pavement markings and new signs. Sidewalk ramps and crosswalks will be installed and will include pedestrian signals with push buttons with countdown timers. A new sidewalk will be constructed on the west side of John Street, extending about 250 feet from Jefferson Road.

All roads will remain open to traffic and accessible at all times. Motorists can expect single lane closures with minor delays for short durations. Work on Jefferson Road will be limited to off-peak hours. Access to all businesses and residences will be maintained at all times, although access may be limited at driveways for short durations during driveway and sidewalk construction.

“This is a busy, congestion-prone intersection that, because of its proximity to RIT, also has a high volume of foot traffic and bicyclists,” said Gov. Cuomo. “These much-needed improvements will help eliminate this bottleneck and make this much-traveled roadway safer for pedestrians and motorists alike.”

Vercauteren said campus officials will update the RIT community on the project as necessary through email or on social media. Work is expected to be completed this fall.