The New York Metropolitan Transportation Council is pleased to announce the

ROUTE 59 AREA TRANSPORTATION & LAND USE STUDY

Overview

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC), is pleased to announce the Route 59 Area Transportation & Land Use Study. The Route 59 Study is made possible through federal funds and a partnership between NYMTC, the New York State Department of Transportation, Rockland County, the Town of Ramapo, and the Villages of Airmont and Spring Valley.

As growth in both population and economic development in the area have greatly increased, so have rush hour travel and congestion, creating a need to plan for improvements. The Route 59 Study will consider conditions and make suggestions for improvements in four focal communities along the Study Area.

 Reports & Summaries

 

The Route 59 Area Transportation & Land Use Study identified and evaluated transportation and development issues and future improvement recommendations in the 4.5-mile stretch of Route 59 that runs from Airmont Road in the Village of Airmont east through the hamlet of Monsey and Town of Ramapo to South Pascack Road in the Village of Spring Valley. Throughout the study, public input was gathered to identify issues and develop recommendations to shape the corridor into a safer, more pedestrian friendly environment with increased efficiency for vehicular traffic, emergency responders, and transit through the corridor.

Final Report & Executive Summaries

(English, Spanish, Yiddish, French-Creole)

NYMTC has completed the Final Report for the Route 59 Area Transportation & Land Use Study. Based on valuable feedback from the virtual workshops and email comments, NYMTC updated the Report to conclude this planning process. The Final Report makes recommendations in the following areas:

  • Community Design/Process: Land use and zoning approaches to encourage fewer automotive trips and reduce congestion.
  • Roadway: Physical improvements that would reduce congestion and accommodate multiple modes.
  • Bicycle/Pedestrian: Temporary and permanent infrastructure improvements to enhance the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians.
  • Transit: Transit service and amenities to improve the passenger experience.

The Final Report and an Executive Summary of findings in English, Spanish, French-Creole, and Yiddish are available below for download.

Executive Summary – English Executive Summary – Spanish Executive Summary – French-Creole Executive Summary – Yiddish Final Report Final Presentation Final Brochure
Draft Report & Executive Summaries

(English, Spanish, Yiddish, French-Creole)

The Study Team has collected valuable information from individuals and communities across the Study Area and compiled them into a draft Report for the Route 59 Area Transportation & Land Use Study. The draft Final Report makes recommendations in the following areas:

  • Community Design/Process: Land use and zoning approaches to encourage fewer automotive trips and reduce congestion.
  • Roadway: Physical improvements that would reduce congestion and accommodate multiple modes.
  • Bicycle/Pedestrian: Temporary and permanent infrastructure improvements to enhance pedestrian safety.
  • Transit: Transit service and amenities to improve the passenger experience.

NYMTC had originally planned to hold public review meetings in March. However, due to the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and concern for public health, NYMTC will schedule the public review workshops when it is deemed safe to do so. At that time, additional information will be provided regarding the time and location of the meetings.

The draft Final Report and an Executive Summary of findings in English, Spanish, French-Creole, and Yiddish are available below for download.

Executive Summary – English Executive Summary – Spanish Executive Summary – French-Creole Executive Summary – Yiddish Draft Final Report

About the Process

The Route 59 Area Transportation & Land Use Study will provide a framework for possible future development. Divided into three phases, the Study will run from March 2019 with the goal of having a final draft report ready in the Winter of 2020. There were opportunities for community input and comment at each milestone.

Stage One

Community Input

January – August 2019

Your input is not only important, but was vital to the planning process. To generate as much public comment and participation in the Route 59 Study as possible, the Study team hosted a series of four Community Planning Workshops held across the Study Area, and a series of four community pop-up booths at local events. The Study Team also worked one-on-one with community leaders, elected officials, and members of the general public to generate improvement ideas that can be integrated into the Draft Study Report.

Stage Two

Draft Study Report

Fall 2019

A Draft Study Report formalizes the ideas and recommendations by NYMTC, the Study team, and others that were generated during public meetings, community planning workshops, and during other meetings with residents, community leaders, and local organizations. Since this is a draft, the community was able to review and comment on the Draft Study Report prior to moving to the Final Draft stage of the Study.

Stage Three

Final Study Report

Fall 2020

The Final Study Report is available to the general public, local community, and stakeholders. The final report provides a foundation for the future development of the Study Area by NYSDOT, the Town of Ramapo, and Villages of Airmont and Spring Valley.

Community Planning Workshops

Your voice counts! Four community planning workshops were held across the Study Area. Each workshop generated your ideas for improvement to the Study Area. Additionally, the Route 59 Study team hosted pop-up booths at community events across the Study Area to solicit your valuable input and ideas.

Thanks to your valuable participation at these meetings, we identified key issues through interviews, community outreach, and the previous public workshops. Please watch for future announcements of public meetings that may be held to review and discuss the draft Report and Executive Summary.

 Community Planning Workshop Overview

Community Planning Workshop #1 – Existing Conditions

Community Planning Workshop #2 – Focal Areas

Community Planning Workshop #3 – Community Visioning

Community Planning Workshop #4 – Summary of Initial Findings

Public Review Meetings

 

Virtual public review meetings were held to discuss and gather comments on the draft Final Report for the Route 59 Area Transportation and Land Use Study. The draft Final Report can be downloaded here. The draft Final Report makes recommendations in the following areas:

  • Community Design/Process: Land use and zoning approaches to encourage fewer automotive trips and reduce congestion.
  • Roadway: Physical improvements that would reduce congestion and accommodate multiple modes of travel.
  • Bicycle/Pedestrian: Temporary and permanent infrastructure improvements to enhance pedestrian safety.
  • Transit: Transit service and amenities to improve the passenger experience.

We used Poll Everywhere to facilitate interaction during each session. Each session provided the same content. In addition, NYMTC will accept comments through the project website following the three sessions. 

The Study Area

The Route 59 Study Area is a 4.5-mile stretch of Route 59 that starts on the western end at Airmont Road and Route 59 in the Village of Airmont, running east through the Town of Ramapo ending at South Pascack Road and Route 59 in the Village of Spring Valley.

The area surrounding Route 59 includes a mix of land uses, with large retail centers as well as commercial and residential sites and a significant pedestrian presence. The travel markets that move within and through the area are complex, being a mixture of regional and local person and goods movement and modes including truck, bus, car, pedestrian and bicycle. The Route 59 Area Transportation & Land Use Study will identify and evaluate transportation and development issues and future scenarios in the Route 59 corridor.

 

Click on map for larger view

Connect on Facebook    Connect on Twitter