Recommends interchanges in Marcy and Rome to accommodate region’s economic development; follows MTA move to automatic tolling at bridges and tunnels
State Senator Joseph Griffo is calling upon the Governor and the New York State Thruway Authority to develop a series of high-speed E-Z Pass Interchanges across the state to make the highway system more efficient, including one in Marcy.
Following the Governor’s announcement this week to institute state-of-the-art automatic tolling at all MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) bridges and tunnel, along with improvements to Interstate 90 in Western New York, Senator Griffo sent a letter to the Thruway Authority outlining his recommendations for the agency to examine and implement a plan that would incorporate eight to 10 E-Z pass interchanges along Interstate 90. This plan, as envisioned by Senator Griffo, would add extra lanes to the Thruway to allow only motorists using E-Z Pass to access and exit the Thruway without stopping or significantly slowing for a toll booth.
Such interchanges would enhance traffic flow while reducing congestion and delays, and enable motorists to more directly access economic corridors that rely on vehicle traffic, Griffo said. Senator Griffo is also asking the Governor and the Thruway Authority to explore the option of expanding automatic “open road tolling” to some of the more heavily trafficked areas upstate. With this technology, motorists would not be required to stop to pay tolls because sensors and cameras suspended over the highway would read each license plate (if they don’t already have E-Z pass) and mail a toll bill to that vehicle’s registered owner.
Locally, Senator Griffo is recommending that one of the E-Z Pass Interchanges be developed in Marcy or Rome, where the region has been preparing for major economic development through local technology projects at the SUNY Polytechnic Institute and the Griffiss Business and Technology Park. As the greater Utica and Rome areas anticipate an increase in traffic activity along with this regional revitalization, Senator Griffo says E-Z pass access point should link the Thruway directly to Marcy and/or Rome.
Senator Griffo first proposed such an E-Z Pass Interchange 10 years ago, at a time when plans for a future Marcy Nanocenter were in their infancy. While this concept has continued to be discussed as part of long-term transportation plans, Senator Griffo believes the Governor’s focus on reimagining New York’s transportation system is once again an appropriate time to revisit the proposal.
“Now, more than ever, I think there is a real need with real benefits to allow motorists the ability to exit the Thruway into Marcy and Rome as efficiently as possible to avoid traffic congestion and delays,” said Senator Griffo, R-Rome. “As our region continues to evolve toward revitalization, ensuring that we have the best transportation infrastructure in place will allow us to make the most of the opportunities we have for economic development. This isn’t the first time this project has been explored, but I believe now is the ideal time to finally make this concept a priority to further enhance the Mohawk Valley.”
The parallel layout of the Thruway and the Utica-Rome Expressway puts the Utica/Marcy and Rome areas in a very unique situation, Senator Griffo explained. Connecting these two roadways would help our region take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the Marcy Nanocenter projects at SUNY Poly, the Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome, and future development in Downtown Utica, as well as better accommodate the Walmart Distribution Center and the New York State corrections facilities.
With the Marcy interchange previously estimated to cost $8 million, Senator Griffo suggested that 8 to 10 similar interchanges could be developed across the state as part of a $75 million project funded through the Thruway Authority by using:
§ Any savings the Thruway Authority would gain by transferring control of the Canal Corporation to the New York Power Authority.
§ An estimated $400 million in bank settlement funds that the Thruway Authority could appeal for from the state to use in projects like this.
§ A portion of the $700 million already allocated by the state to the Thruway Authority for its Capital Program.
Such a project would also maximize the interconnectivity between the Thruway and Interstate 790, as well as the North-South Arterial and Routes 5, 8 and 12.
“While the surrounding Marcy and Utica area would definitely benefit by having efficient E-Z Pass access, there are many other communities across the state that would be similarly assisted by having better high-speed access to the state’s transportation system,” Senator Griffo said. “A statewide plan to develop these interchanges could improve the economic outlook and commercial vitality of these corridors by making them more accessible to vehicle traffic.”