Route 96 congestion: Victor committee determines projects could total $14.7 million

A steering committee is nearing the end of its search to find practical solutions that will remedy congestion on Route 96 in Victor.

On Wednesday, the steering committee approved taking its plan before the town. The committee is made up of members of the town and village of Victor, Genesee Transportation Council, Ontario County, New York state Department of Transportation and Victor Local Development Corp. The plan's lead consultant is T.Y. Lin International.

The recommendations for the Route 96 Transformative Corridor Strategic Infrastructure Plan have been altered since they were announced in November. The six-priority recommendations that will be brought before the Town Board later this month include creating a new local road and extending and connecting existing roadways.

Creating a new local street appears to be the top priority identified by the committee, Bill Wright, the Ontario County commissioner of public works, said.

"I'm happy to see this happening," said former Victor Town Supervisor Douglas Fisher. "This is not the bypass that so many people feared because it is right adjoining the rear lot line of all the businesses along the way."

Victor Mayor Gary Hadden called the Route 96 plan an "advantage to the village." Hadden said the plans would relieve congestion and increase convenience.

What are the six solutions?

1. Create a new local street: The new street would run parallel to Route 96 and Shallow Creek Trail, starting at Route 251 (Victor-Mendon Road) and ending at either Lynaugh Road or Plastermill Road.

Part of the Ontario Central Railroad would be converted into a street. Under the current recommendation, the plan includes room for both the railroad and a two-lane street. The new local street would also accommodate pedestrians and cyclists.

2. Extending five lanes: Extend a five-lane section of Route 96 from just south of Omnitech Place to a reconfigured intersection at Victor-Mendon Road and Lane Road.

3. Omnitech Place and Willowbrook Road: These two roads are recommended to come together and align at an intersection.

4. Route 251 and Lane Road: These two roads are recommended to come together and align at an intersection.

5. Connecting roads: Join Collett Road to Plastermill Road and Delray Drive.

6. Create a roundabout: The committee recommends that a roundabout be used to connect Lane, Victor Egypt and Lynaugh roads.

What's next for Victor

The plan is expected to be presented to the Victor Town Board on March 26. A date to present to the village is to be determined. Additionally, the six recommendations to remedy Route 96 congestion will be looked at from the point of environmental impact —through the State Environmental Quality Review Act process.

"(We're) in the home stretch here," Richard Perrin with T.Y. Lin International said.

How much would these projects cost?

The estimated cost total is $14.76 million for all priority projects.

Town Board member Dave Tantillo, who serves on the steering committee, said funding would be pursued at the federal and state level. The projects could also be funded by the taxpayers and or developers.

MEFINNERTY@Gannett.com

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