Note: The following is an abbreviated summary of public comments received at the titled public information meeting for the North Country Transportation Study. The comments do not necessarily reflect the views of the Development Authority of the North Country, New York State Department of Transportation, or Wilbur Smith Associates.

Overall Concerns

• There is no five County North Country Region; it just doesn’t function as one.
• North Country is a region; similar situations in many places: Transport deficiencies; Economic development deficiencies
• There are two corridors oriented in this area: I-87 N-S; Route 11 E-W
• There are distinct sub-regions within study area.
• Plattsburgh is linked N-S, and east to Burlington.
• The study should focus on N-S improvements.
• Quality of life must be maintained.
• Tourism relies on ease of moving around and quality of attractions.

Economic Development/Job Growth

• Success in one area of the region should not come at expense of other areas.
• PARC is a “Gem in the making” due to intermodal transportation linkages.
• “Site Selection” magazine ranked small cities:
  • 7^th – Plattsburgh
  • 47^th – Watertown
• How does this ranking fit with numbers included in presentation?
• Tourism is important.  E-W improvements would benefit tourism

Environmental Impacts

• No specific comments

Project History

• Project has long, deep roots; it was the “roof top highway”.

Project Status

• No specific comments

Other Concerns

• Regional alternatives should connect I-87 with I-89; replace ferry with bridge to Burlington.
• Canadian border crossing is a severe problem.
• Traffic in Rouses Point is also severe.
• Route 9B/11 intersection is dangerous.
• Improved highway shoulders meet the needs of cyclists.
• College/location issue:  “if quality is there, students will come”.
• SUNY system: affected by under funding and competition for students; SUNY campus within 50 miles of every NY resident..
• Education: There are distrinct segments: elementary/high school, junior college, college, graduate.
• There is a very high cost of air travel.
• Troop movements have impact on E-W travel times.
• Plattsburgh Airport a potential asset for Fort Drum.
• Participation of Federal Government in airports can help defer costs of facilities.
• Water transport: There should be a a remote dock/check in Rouses Point.
• Bridge to Burlington (Grand Isle) would be valuable.
• Hovercraft may offer potential for waterborne transport.
• Transit needs include funding coordination.
• Lack of reliable public transportation is a factor in attracting and retaining employees, particularly in most rural areas.
• Second home owners interested in better transportation

Priorities of Chamber of Commerce

• N-S improvements, rail as well as highways link to Montreal
• Condition of Champlain Border crossing: disfunctional, unsafe
• CP Rail: crossing at Rouses Point; remove barriers to double stacking
• Tandem truck facility in Albany
• ITS potential application
• PARC, intermodalism opportunities
• Lack of air service
• Bilingual signage/services
• Enhancements to Route 11 corridor
• Ease the commute to/from Franklin County
• Relocate Plattsburgh rail yard
• Improve Amtrak service and facilities
• Natural Gas: extend south and west
• Telecommunications
• Look at all the assets; plan
• Take advantage of world class runway, culture, amenities, connect to rail
• Tie everything together
• Goat importation problem
• High tech training
• Border crossing!
• Port of Montreal
• PARC Potential
• Fiber optics
• Work force investment Boards
• Plattsburgh: potential point of deployment [Fort Drum troops]; need for E-W Access
• Public safety
• Connector road to Cumberland Head
• PARC, high speed rail:  yes;   rooftop highway:  no
• Short hop air travel
• Highway 3x cost of improved rail highway; doesn’t reduce traffic
• Intercity bus needed
• Watertown = 3 hours by car - = 8 hours by bus
• Burlington = no connection by bus - = $185 by cab?
• Bridge to VT.