This project is needed to enhance intersection capacity and safety, reduce congestion, and provide non-motorized connectivity for residents to some of the Town’s most popular destinations.

These recommended improvements were identified in many of the Town’s planning documents including the 2015 Comprehensive Plan and the 2021 Open Space, Recreation and Pathways Plan. Safe access to Gavin Park and the Dorothy Nolan School has been highly requested over the years by individual residents, neighborhood groups, and the Saratoga Springs School District. Numerous requests for safety improvements at the intersections have also been received.

Previous studies conducted in the project area can be viewed here.

In a study completed by Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI) in May 2016, roundabouts were recommended at these intersections to mitigate congestion and lower accident rates. The traffic signal warrants completed for this study concluded that signals were not warranted at either intersection. The warrants completed in 2024 for this project confirm that traffic signals are not warranted. According to a Proven Safety Countermeasures Fact Sheet published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), two-way stop-controlled intersections that were converted to a roundabout saw an 82% reduction in fatal and injury crashes.

A study to reduce the speed limits on Northern Pines Road, Carr Road, and Jones Road is beyond the scope of this intersection/pedestrian/bicycle improvement project. However, separate from this project, the Town Board has recently requested a speed limit reduction on Jones Road and is awaiting a response from the New York State Department of Transportation.

The design, which is reviewed by the New York State Department of Transportation, is approved by the Town of Wilton. Prior to approval, the public is provided several opportunities throughout the design process to provide feedback.

The Town is coordinating with emergency services to ensure that all emergency vehicles will be able to utilize the proposed roundabouts at the intersections of Northern Pines Road / Carr Road and Carr Road/Jones Road. Because of this, emergency response times will not be impacted. Emergency services will be consulted again to discuss access to the project area during the construction phase.

Geometric changes to the McGregor Links / 18th Pass driveway is outside of the scope of this project as it is a privately owned driveway.

Property owners with potential impacts will be contacted directly and kept informed by the Right-of-Way Liaison (R.K. Hite & Co., Inc.) for the project.

The next public open house is tentatively planned for Summer 2025 during the final design phase of the project.

The concept plans displayed at the first public open house, held on November 18, 2024, can be viewed here.

The multi-use path will be constructed entirely on publicly owned property, removing liability from adjacent property owners.

The Town of Wilton will be responsible for the maintenance of the multi-use path, including snow removal. A signed maintenance agreement, that is valid for the life of the multi-use path, is to be included in the project plans.

The Town of Wilton will be responsible for the multi-use path snow removal. Trash pickup will not be impacted by the multi-use path as residents will be able to place trash receptacles within the grass buffer between the road and path.

While extending the multi-use path / sidewalks outside the limits already shown is beyond the scope of this project, the Town has been made aware of this request for potential projects in the future. The need for added / improved bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure is outlined in the 2015 Comprehensive Plan and the 2021 Open Space, Recreation and Pathways Plan.

All mid-block crossings (crosswalks that occur across free-flowing traffic) will receive crosswalk signs with rapid rectangular flashing beacons as well as crosswalk warning signs in advance of the crosswalks.

Midblock crossings are considered safest at intersections, whether vehicles are required to stop or not, because they are the most anticipated at these locations. The further away from the intersection a crosswalk is placed, the more unsafe it becomes. All midblock crossings, including those at the roundabouts, will be given ample signage to warn motorists of the potential for crossing pedestrians / bicyclists.