Transportation Committee
RECORD OF MEETING
WORKING GROUP B
DATE/TIME/PLACE:
ATTENDANCE: Bob Hansen (NYSDOT R-1),
DISCUSSION SUMMARY:
· NYSDOT presented an update
to the bridge maintenance and replacement cost estimates that were previously
presented to the working group. In general,
bridge needs were evaluated based on functional and structural deficiencies. Cost estimates are based on actual historical
costs per square foot of deck area.
Costs were not inflated. Thruway bridges were not considered.
195 bridges were analyzed. Bridges over interstate routes that carry
crossroads were not included in the analysis. Future needs were identified
according to geographic area (i.e. I87:Exit 8 to Exit
17) and according to three 10 year strategic periods—2005-2015, 2015-2025 and
2035-2035. Based on these aggregations,
it was estimated that almost $500 million will be needed during the first 10
year strategic period, and additional $270 million
during the second strategic period and almost $100 million between 2025 and
2035 (in 2004 dollars). These estimates
are conservative, in that they reflect mostly rehabilitation rather that
replacement and expansion.
The working group requested that NYSDOT put together
less conservative estimates as well, addressing replacement needs (to address
structural concerns and safety concerns) and limited capacity issues.
· The Working Group requested
that the NYSTA use the assumptions outlined in the NYSDOT’s
estimates to prepare an “unofficial” estimate of needs on the Thruway system in
the Capital District.
· The Working Group reviewed
the additional MIST data that was distributed at the meeting. The working group concurred that the analysis
should be performed for the remaining interstates in the area. It was also recommended that a reliability
index be created for the data to show, for example, how many more minutes an
incident will add onto an average trip.
It was noted that travel time predictability is a feature that most area
travelers are looking for when they enter the traffic stream.
· “Next Steps” were discussed
by the Working Group. Essentially, a
draft report must be prepared by early fall, outlining infrastructure needs,
ITS needs and highlights of the MIST data analysis. CDTC staff will draft a detailed outline and
make it available for review prior to the August meeting. It was suggested that the report include a
discussion regarding consequences of current policies of ‘band-aiding” the
system and suspending protective maintenance because of budgetary constraints.
ACTION ITEMS:
· Brian Menyuk
will amend
the ITS infrastructure matrix. Brian
will also look into the availability of GIS based signal data (for signal
coordination analysis). Copies of the
Sear-Brown report on signal coordination will be made available to the Working
Group.
· Bob Hansen will prepare two additional
infrastructure scenarios—one that looks at structural replacement of some older
bridges and the 787 viaducts and one that looks at capacity needs.
·
· CDTC Staff will prepare a detailed
outline for the draft report.
NEXT MEETING(s):