James Street Improvement Project State Street to Grant Boulevard

The City has initiated this project to provide a safe and maintainable transportation corridor with cost-effective maintenance and a focus on pedestrian/bicyclist safety.

The primary objectives of this project are to:

• Enhance accessibility for all users by upgrading pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities throughout the corridor.
• Increase safety by addressing known issues with proven measures that provide measurable safety benefits.
• Improve traffic flow by addressing future traffic demand and maintaining an acceptable level of service over a 10-year design period.
• Rehabilitate the roadway surface using cost-effective treatments designed to keep pavement in good condition for at least 10 years.

Due to its age and heavy traffic, the existing pavement on James Street shows signs of distress. Over time, this usage has caused the asphalt pavement to develop surface cracking and wheel-path rutting.  In addition, prior utility repairs have not been properly restored and have disturbed the pavement in numerous locations. Much of the existing granite curbing is in poor condition and is either damaged, misaligned, or lacking proper reveal height.

James Street has sidewalks on both sides of the road of varying width. Isolated stretches of sidewalk sections are in generally good condition, while other sections are in poor condition, exhibiting non-compliant features such as heaving concrete slabs, unacceptable cross slopes, and excessive ponding. Most of the existing curb ramps do not meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines for accessibility.  There is currently no separate accommodation or infrastructure for bicyclists along James Street. The existing traffic signals are outdated, lacking proper pedestrian equipment.

There is a significant number of lead water service lines serving along James Street. Additionally, the water main between Oak Street and Grant Boulevard is aging and has experienced frequent leaks, requiring continuous repair.

James Street will receive pavement rehabilitation. Final paving will consist of milling the existing pavement and installing a new 4″ thick asphalt overlay.  Deteriorated sections of granite curbing will be replaced.

The project will receive a “road diet” by reducing the existing four-lanes to three lanes with one travel lane in each direction, a center two-way left-turn lane and dedicated left-turn lanes at intersections. Although the number of lanes will be reduced, the existing curb-to-curb width will remain unchanged. The intersections of James Street / Grant Boulevard / Shotwell Park will be reconfigured into a single intersection with a new traffic signal, replacing older ones. The Greenway Memorial Park will be expanded by converting the old pavement on Grant Boulevard into additional green space, including new landscaping, sidewalks and trees. Traffic control devices (signs, markings, signals) will be upgraded to the latest traffic safety standards.

Pedestrian accommodations will be upgraded to meet current ADA standards.   The sidewalk on the south side of the street will be replaced with a 10-foot-wide shared-use path to accommodate both bicyclists and pedestrians. At intersections, curb ramps will be replaced and new audible pedestrian signals (APS) and LED walk and countdown timers will be installed at all signalized intersections.

All drainage structures will be replaced within the project limits.  All lead water service lines will be replaced from the water main to the service meter. In addition, the water main will be replaced from Oak Street to Grant Boulevard.

Over 200 trees will be planted to replace any existing trees that require removal and to enhance areas that currently do not have them. Tree pits will be installed to contain roots and preserve plant health. All existing trees that are to remain will be pruned to increase driver visibility and clearance for cyclists on the shared-use path. Modifications will be required on most driveways to re-establish connections to the proposed work.

There will be  no acquisition of property for this project. Permission from property owners for lead service replacements and releases for driveway repairs and tie-ins, shared-use path grading and sidewalk connections to abutting properties will be requested from owners before the beginning of the construction.

Centro currently is engaging in preliminary design for new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes and enhanced bus stations in Syracuse. The BRT route along James Street (Eastwood-South Side Corridor) is between Townsend Street and Teall Avenue. It is anticipated that appropriate Centro-funded improvements will be incorporated into this project.

National Grid also has plans to replace the gas mains and services along the corridor, prior to commencement of this project.