Cuomo says 531 project eases traffic flow in western Monroe
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced construction is underway on a $14 million project to upgrade the junction of Route 531 and Route 36 along with modifications to nearby Route 31 in the towns of Ogden and Sweden in Monroe County.
The project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2018, is aimed at easing traffic flow and improving safety where the Route 531 expressway ends at Route 36.
“This reconstruction project is critical to the economic vitality of Monroe County and the success of the Finger Lakes Forward strategy,” Governor Cuomo said. “By making significant improvements to roads connecting businesses and communities throughout the region, New York will continue to support the tourism, agricultural and manufacturing industries that continue to flourish across the entire region.”
Upon completion, travel will be more efficient through the signalized intersection at Route 531 and Route 36 (Washington Street). A direct connection from Route 531 to Route 31 will be built just south of existing Route 31, along the eastbound on-ramp to Route 531. Route 531 will connect directly to Route 31 (Brockport-Spencerport Road) and will transition from a four lane expressway to a two-lane rural arterial west of Route 36.
Road improvements include:
• Widening Route 31 from the intersection of Route 531 to just east of Gallup Road;
• Adding a center median to separate the eastbound and westbound travel lanes;
• Transforming a portion of Route 31 between Route 531 and Route 36 into a cul-de-sac approximately 2,000 feet west of Route 36 to provide access to the residential homes located on the north side of Route 31; and
• Building a continuous two-way left turn lane on Route 31 from Gallup Road west towards Salmon Creek Road.
The project will be completed in two phases. The first phase, which is currently underway and will last through the summer, will take place at the interchange of Route 531 and Route 36. The Route 31 eastbound entrance ramp to Route 531 is closed during construction and a short section of Route 36 is closed between Route 531 and Colby Street while the highway is excavated and the hill is lowered. Traffic on Route 36 is detoured using Route 31, Route 259, Route 260 and Colby Street during the construction season.
The second phase, which will take place in 2018, will include reconstructing and widening the roadway from west of Salmon Creek Road to the existing Route 531 eastbound on-ramp along Route 31.
“This project will improve the commute for thousands of motorists who travel between Rochester and the western part of Monroe County as well as Orleans County,” said New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Matthew J. Driscoll. “The work will be extensive but, along with Governor Cuomo, we ask motorists to be patient and to drive cautiously through the work zone.”
Route 531 links Rochester and its interstates to Orleans County, supporting tourism, and the agricultural and manufacturing industries. The tourism industry in Orleans County includes sport fishing and historic villages dotted along the Erie Canal.
A highlight of the agriculture and manufacturing industry is the first ethanol plant constructed in the northeast, which is located in Medina. The $90 million facility processes roughly 20 million bushels of corn into fuel grade ethanol, grains, and crude corn oil.
SUNY Brockport is also nearby and a significant employer noted by the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council. It hosts the Small Business Development Center that has helped businesses invest more than $180 million in the regional economy, as well as a number of additional regional economic generator programs. It attracts thousands of faculty, students, staff and visitors.
Rochester Tech Park, situated adjacent to Route 531, is one of the largest multi-use complexes in the nation. With four million square feet of office, research, distribution, industrial and manufacturing space, its tenants include major national and multi-national companies.
