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

• The North Country should ake greater use of St. Lawrence Seaway to get ships from around the world more involved in local economy (third largest in world).

• Seaway Related Facility improvements are important in Clayton, Ogdensburg, other communities.

• Fort Drum access to 4 lane highway needed “to the gate”.

• Water ports and air travel are also important (not just  for mobilization).

• Freight shipments to supply the base are signifcant.

• Army Reserve “bubble” impacts during summer +40-50k additional

• Spouses and families of soldiers depart the area while soldiers are deployed and rely on transportation.  We should make it easier to come and go.

• Consideration should be given to a joint use airport at Fort Drum.

• Is population becoming older?

• Older persons seem resistant to change.  There is a significant local role in land use decisions.

• Aging: The baby boomer bubble is coming 2010.  Time to prepare is now.

Economic Development/Job Growth

• The study should identify the industries that should be promoted.

• Is it common to have “pockets” where economy is depressed?

• We need to think about climate and energy costs, role in location/relocation.

• A advantage to out area is the proximity to Canada; nearby areas in Ontario and Quebec are in Canada’s South.

• Compatibility with natural resources is important.

• Transportation can enhance agriculture and tourism as important components.

• There is a strong interaction between transportation and industries e.g., rail and paper industry.

• Tourism: need better access to interior areas to compete for visitors to the region.

• Health care is of growing importance in Watertown; rural areas are struggling, however.

• Fiber optics/telecommunication are important, but you can’t put truck w/53’ trailer on fiber optic line

Environmental Impacts

• Environmental/Aesthetic Concerns are of considerable interest in the study.

• Quality of life shouldn’t be sacrificed

• Agriculture – “come farm with us” immigration rules are a challenge to Canadians seeking to work here

Project History

• No specific comments

Project Status

• Will study identify solutions that can be implemented at different levels, locals, State, Federal; e.g., gas tax?

• What can be done about apathy, to get people on board?

Other Concerns

• Abandonment of RR R-O-W may loose the corridor as a transportation function.

• Lewis County representatives expressed concerns as smallest County in region.

• Rail line connection between Lowville-Lyons Falls is important;   but generally, we should improve RR lines.

• What is the source of information for population?  Out migration?

• High technology is an important ingredient to growth.

• Highway safety is a great concern on Rt. 342 in the nightime.

• There were eight trains/day in Lowville historically - now 200 trucks/day.

• Loss of key industries could make RR’s less viable

• CSX might close Montreal to Syracuse line.

• We should re-establish Lowville RR link to Utica?

• It is important to preserve RR R-O-Ws.

• Rail is important to Fort Drum.

• Are new rail lines being created?

• Are zoning regulations appropriate for industrial development (will they allow it to occur without fight)

• Car is king, but biking, walking shouldn’t be forgotten:

• Bikeways

• Sidewalks

• Hiking paths,

• Bus transit transportation:

• exists, but is limited,

• important ,

• try to expand to outlying areas.

• Expansion of transit service can meet local and regional needs for shopping, medical appointments, etc.

• Public square in Watertown is transit focal point.

• Transit service is important for tourists.

• No transit service exists from Watertown to Plattsburgh.

• Lack of highway access impacts development on north side of Watertown.