New Vision and Action Plan for Mohawk-Erie Corridor

The Mohawk-Erie region in upstate New York is experiencing change. The traditional manufacturing base in the corridor has declined in recent years, while employment in technology and bio-tech sectors is on the rise. The region’s population is spreading out from cities into suburban and rural areas. Projected growth in freight and commuter traffic is expected to strain elements of the existing transportation infrastructure, while there continues to be a need to accommodate more traditional agriculture, forestry and food processing industries.

This 400-mile corridor is an integral connection for trade and freight movements nationally. Directly serving Albany, Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo, the corridor continues east to Boston, southwest to Cleveland, and also accesses routes to Canada, New York City, and beyond. In addition, the Mohawk-Erie Corridor serves as a primary travel route to a number of tourist destinations within New York State such as Niagara Falls, the Finger Lakes, Erie Canal, and the Adirondacks.

Using stakeholder input, a vision and action plan are being developed that balance these competing trends and position the region to grow and take advantage of opportunities during a time of change. The need to understand these changes and their implications on future transportation and economic development needs is the impetus behind the Mohawk-Erie Multimodal Transportation Corridor Study which was jointly launched by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), the New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA), in cooperation with the New York State Canal Corporation.

FHI is facilitating public and stakeholder outreach activities, a key role on the study team led by Wilbur Smith Associates. FHI has developed and is currently working to implement a Public Involvement and Participation Plan. Stakeholder groups include a Project Steering Committee, as well as a corridor-wide and four regional Project Advisory Committees who meet at key study milestones to provide guidance and input. The study team will also orchestrate surveys within the corridor, hold briefings with local officials, convene public information meetings, and develop a webpage to encourage active participation by stakeholders.

In addition to outreach, FHI also is working with Wilbur Smith to analyze land use in the corridor, as well as transportation assets, economic conditions, tourism activity, trade volumes and characteristics, and natural resources.

Because this project crosses such a large geographic area comprised of very different regions, we hear many views about the future of the Mohawk-Erie region. Sorting and balancing those priorities is the type of challenge we embrace. We look forward to contributing to a vision and strategies that benefit the Mohawk-Erie corridor.


Innovative Planning - Better Communities

In this Issue: From the (Past) Prez: Autumn Greetings! Renovating an Historic Bridge with a Very Unusual Name New Vision and Action Plan for Mohawk-Erie Corridor High Speed Field Work for High Speed Rail The Final Beam Is In! Gateway Community College Update Greater Connectivity in Norwalk, CT FHI Staff Notes	New Vision and Action Plan for Mohawk-Erie Corridor The Mohawk-Erie region in upstate New York is experiencing change. The traditional manufacturing base in the corridor has declined in recent years, while employment in technology and bio-tech sectors is on the rise. The region’s population is spreading out from cities into suburban and rural areas. Projected growth in freight and commuter traffic is expected to strain elements of the existing transportation infrastructure, while there continues to be a need to accommodate more traditional agriculture, forestry and food processing industries. This 400-mile corridor is an integral connection for trade and freight movements nationally. Directly serving Albany, Utica, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo, the corridor continues east to Boston, southwest to Cleveland, and also accesses routes to Canada, New York City, and beyond. In addition, the Mohawk-Erie Corridor serves as a primary travel route to a number of tourist destinations within New York State such as Niagara Falls, the Finger Lakes, Erie Canal, and the Adirondacks. Using stakeholder input, a vision and action plan are being developed that balance these competing trends and position the region to grow and take advantage of opportunities during a time of change. The need to understand these changes and their implications on future transportation and economic development needs is the impetus behind the Mohawk-Erie Multimodal Transportation Corridor Study which was jointly launched by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), the New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA), in cooperation with the New York State Canal Corporation. FHI is facilitating public and stakeholder outreach activities, a key role on the study team led by Wilbur Smith Associates. FHI has developed and is currently working to implement a Public Involvement and Participation Plan. Stakeholder groups include a Project Steering Committee, as well as a corridor-wide and four regional Project Advisory Committees who meet at key study milestones to provide guidance and input. The study team will also orchestrate surveys within the corridor, hold briefings with local officials, convene public information meetings, and develop a webpage to encourage active participation by stakeholders. In addition to outreach, FHI also is working with Wilbur Smith to analyze land use in the corridor, as well as transportation assets, economic conditions, tourism activity, trade volumes and characteristics, and natural resources. Because this project crosses such a large geographic area comprised of very different regions, we hear many views about the future of the Mohawk-Erie region. Sorting and balancing those priorities is the type of challenge we embrace. We look forward to contributing to a vision and strategies that benefit the Mohawk-Erie corridor.