The width of the road is not changing. There is the same amount of pavement for vehicles to maneuver on in case of emergencies and obstructions, just as we have always experienced on our streets.

One of the early designs of Complete Streets incorporated a center median and potential diagonal parking.

New proposals no longer have a median obstructing the center area.

Furthermore, the width of the road is not changing.

If emergency vehicles are coming through, you pull over all the way possible just as always (right into the bike lane — don’t worry, they have to move over to and are accustomed to following the rules of the road).

Genesee Street’s current 4 lanes traffic pattern is set up to accommodate 15,000-20,000 vehicles per day.

Genesee Street currently has just over 9,000 cars per day (the blocks of Genesee Street closer to the hospital actually only experiences around 5,000 cars per day).

• The Traffic Impact Study for the hospital estimates 800-900 cars during AM/PM peak hours.

• Of those 800-900 cars, 5.9% of them are actually expected to use Genesee Street.

• 5.9% of 900 is an estimated 54 extra cars on Genesee Street during the hours of 7AM-8AM and 4PM-5PM

• Even with this increase of hourly traffic, Genesee Street would still be overbuilt at 4 lanes.

Please fill out this survey.

There were a number of businesses that were contacted in recent months and spoken to on the potential of a Complete Streets trial on Genesee Street. Their input helped shape the trial to address the needs that there would be no median or diagonal parking/obstructions (resulting in loss of parking).

This trial is now the time for input and action from everyone so we can help shape and decide what should and should not be made permanent in turning Genesee into a Complete Street.

The roads were being painted Saturday, October 29th. The only question was which way?

Do we go back to 4 lanes just because that’s the way it has always been?

Or do we follow the Complete Streets Policy from 2016 and implement a trial to assess how to turn Genesee Street into a Complete Street after 6 years of no action?

If the mayor were to delay a trial, that means any lines painted now would be wasted and eventually had to be grinded down for a trial anyway.

This trial is one important step in the overall due process of implementing Complete Streets on Genesee Street.

Many trials are done without resolution or support from the Utica Common Council.

I, Councilperson Katie Aiello, fully support Complete Streets and wanted to make my intentions and goals known to the public of my pursuit for permanent changes as we decide what will be the best improvement for everyone that lives, works, and visits the city.