UTICA — The complete streets concept trial implemented on Genesee Street in October has been extended for an additional 90 days to allow for an independent engineering firm to analyze the impacts of the program and make recommendations on traffic flow of the vital city corridor.

Back on Oct. 19, the Utica Common Council voted on legislation to implement the complete streets concept for Genesee Street for a 90-day trial. The legislation passed by a majority vote and painting for the new traffic pattern began on Oct. 22.

Originally four lanes, Genesee Street decreased down to three lanes, with one northbound lane, one southbound lane and a turning lane in the middle. The middle lane also has designated delivery zones for delivery vehicles to park in. On-street parking remained in both the northbound and southbound lanes and bike lanes were added on both sides to accommodate cyclists.

"We learned a lot in those 90-days and that's what that trial was for, the trial was an evaluation of how it functions in our city," said First District Councilor Katie Aiello, who's district includes Genesee Street. "There are absolutely improvements to be made and while we can see and sense what those ones are, we are getting confirmation through a study just to make sure with the hospital coming in and the traffic, as we grow. That's the goal, that Utica keeps growing and that's why we are installing traffic calming measures."

Aiello has been a staunch supporter of the complete streets concept and was one of the five councilors to vote in favor of implementing a 90-day trial back in October.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the complete streets concept is "designed and operated to enable safe use and support mobility for all users" with a goal to "make the transportation network safer and more efficient."

With the 90-day trial now expired, city officials have chosen to extend the trial in order to “allow an independent engineering firm to comprehensively analyze the traffic pattern and make recommendations based on that analysis.”

According to city officials, C&S Engineering has been retained to provide the analysis, which will include consideration of the anticipated opening of Wynn Hospital this fall. As part of the analysis, the city has also requested recommendations that would make the street safer, easier to navigate, and more suitable to a growing population living and working in the district.

Once the changes to Genesee Street were complete and the trial began, reviews were initially mixed, with many people flocking to social media and council meetings to express their opinions on the changes, both in support and opposition. According to Aiello, the majority of the opinions expressed now are mostly positive and in support of keeping the complete streets concept for Genesee Street.

Upon completion of the analysis to be done by C&S Engineering, city officials are expected to examine the results and to make those results public, as well as the results from the city-conducted survey.

A decision on whether to make the changes to Genesee Street permanent, altered, or to revert to the previous traffic pattern will be announced after city officials review the analysis and recommendations.