BY PAUL MITCHELL
North Country This Week

CANTON – After a nearly three-months long study a group of Clarkson students are recommending the addition of bike lanes and a possible traffic pattern change on Main Street.

The research was reported to village officials on July 26.

Matthieu Cote, an intern with the Clarkson Construction Engineering Management Consultant Group (C3G), led the presentation under the tutelage of Erik Backus, Clarkson University professor of the construction engineering management program.

Cote highlighted three options to improve pedestrian and cycling safety and access on Court Street.

Proposal 1 included usage of 5 foot bike lanes on either side of Court Street until intersection with Chapel Street, addition of crosswalks near Judson Street with bump outs, addition of proper signs for bike lane indications as well as shared use lanes, re-striping of center line and buffer zone for bike lanes, addition of raised crosswalk by St. Mary’s Church, and use of a bike box at the intersection of Court and Main Streets.

Proposal 2 included removal of right turn lane onto Main Street, extension lane up to bike box, additional space for vehicles turning onto Court Street and Main Street and vice versa, extension of light timing to accommodate for the additional of 2 to 3 vehicles on the single lane, the right turn lane now only lasts approximately 5 seconds and based on data collected is underutilized and can be accommodated with the single lane, increased protection for pedestrians waiting at the intersection as well as more turning space for larger vehicles, and the addition of a three-way stop at the intersection of Court and Judson Streets.

Proposal 3 included addition of a two-way bike lane traveling along the southbound vehicle lane that will allow for a bike lane to be present to cyclists throughout the entirety of Court Street traveling in either direction, a raised crosswalk near St. Mary’s Church to slow down traffic, a 3-way stop at the intersection of Judson and Court Streets, and a bike box added at the intersection of Main and Court Streets.

“The goal is to improve access on Court Street both to and from Main Street. Initial findings have the pedestrian count around 100 per hour with one third of them students and an easy 100 vehicles per hour. It’s very car centric,” said Cote of Canton in an earlier interview. “I enjoy working with board members and the public. It’s cool developing our ideas and sharing with them.”

Cote told village leaders that all three ideas “will further enhance walking and biking safety.”

He noted that Idea 1 is the least intrusive with the least amount of change needed.

Idea 2 will have more changes done to the roadway and flow of traffic.

Idea 3 will have similar changes as identified in Idea 2 but will allow for easier parking on Court Street during church services.

A final report on the findings will be presented to the Canton Village Board and its September meeting.

If residents have questions or input on Court Street safety and improvements, email Proemm at kproemm@cantonny.gov .