St. Regis Mohawk Tribe: News & Resources

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release:
Seskeha / August 2, 2005

For information contact:
Public Information Office
St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
Tel: (518) 358-2272 ext. 236
Fax: (518) 358-9675

TRAFFIC SIGNAL TO BE INSTALLED AT ROUTE 37 AND RACQUETTE POINT ROAD INTERSECTION
Tribe and DOT Partner to Address Traffic Safety Issues

AKWESASNE , N.Y. — The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and the New York State Department of Transportation partnered earlier this year to address community concerns about safety issues and the large flow of traffic at the Route 37 and Racquette Point Road intersection. A traffic study conducted by the DOT has determined that a three-color traffic signal needs to be designed and installed.

“The Tribal Council was concerned about the hazardous driving conditions after the westbound bridge was eliminated,” said Tribal Sub-Chief Ron LaFrance. “We contacted the DOT soon after hearing the concerns of community members and began working on a plan to address the safety issues travelers face.”

Since the construction of the new Cole-Caldwell Bridge , community members have experienced unsafe driving conditions due to lack of lighting, poor pavement markings and traffic congestion. During a January 2005 tribal meeting, the Tribal Council was informed of several incidents from residents, including accounts of vehicles traveling in the opposite lane at oncoming traffic. In response, the Tribe contacted the DOT and a plan was developed to address the traffic safety issues.

The plan included a traffic study that took place between June 13^th and June 17^th and monitored the amount of traffic at the Racquette Point Road intersection. The study found that traffic volume meet the minimum volume needed to install a traffic signal. The DOT has therefore, initiated the design process for a traffic signal for the intersection.

An installation date has not been identified, but will be shared with the community when it becomes available.

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The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.








		PRESS RELEASE For immediate release: Seskeha / August 2, 2005 For information contact: Public Information Office St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Tel: (518) 358-2272 ext. 236 Fax: (518) 358-9675 TRAFFIC SIGNAL TO BE INSTALLED AT ROUTE 37 AND RACQUETTE POINT ROAD INTERSECTION Tribe and DOT Partner to Address Traffic Safety Issues AKWESASNE , N.Y. — The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and the New York State Department of Transportation partnered earlier this year to address community concerns about safety issues and the large flow of traffic at the Route 37 and Racquette Point Road intersection. A traffic study conducted by the DOT has determined that a three-color traffic signal needs to be designed and installed. “The Tribal Council was concerned about the hazardous driving conditions after the westbound bridge was eliminated,” said Tribal Sub-Chief Ron LaFrance. “We contacted the DOT soon after hearing the concerns of community members and began working on a plan to address the safety issues travelers face.” Since the construction of the new Cole-Caldwell Bridge , community members have experienced unsafe driving conditions due to lack of lighting, poor pavement markings and traffic congestion. During a January 2005 tribal meeting, the Tribal Council was informed of several incidents from residents, including accounts of vehicles traveling in the opposite lane at oncoming traffic. In response, the Tribe contacted the DOT and a plan was developed to address the traffic safety issues. The plan included a traffic study that took place between June 13^th and June 17^th and monitored the amount of traffic at the Racquette Point Road intersection. The study found that traffic volume meet the minimum volume needed to install a traffic signal. The DOT has therefore, initiated the design process for a traffic signal for the intersection. An installation date has not been identified, but will be shared with the community when it becomes available. -30- The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.