HOCTC to Present Exit 31 Project Concepts to Public on Oct. 23

The Herkimer-Oneida Counties Transportation Council (HOCTC) is hosting a public open house to present project concepts and safety improvement to Exit 31 of Interstate 90 and the surrounding roadways.

The meeting will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 23, 2025 at the North Utica Community Center located at 50 Riverside Drive in Utica. All members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and there will be a brief presentation at 5:30 p.m. to share updates about the Exit 31 Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) Study and introduce the draft concept designs and screening process focused on improving safety and connectivity to I-90 Exit 31 and the surrounding roadways.

From 5:45 p.m. to 7 p.m. the public will be invited to circulate around the room at their own pace to review the draft concept designs, provide input on the criteria that will be used to evaluate each concept, meet with the PEL Study team and share feedback.

For those unable to attend the public open house, the draft concept designs, screening criteria, a recording of the presentation and a brief survey to capture public input will be available by October 27, 2025 on the PEL Study website: www.Exit31PELStudy.org

HOCTC welcomes all at the open house and understands that accessible meetings benefit people with and without disabilities. Those requiring assistive technologies, language translation, American Sign Language interpretation and/or adaptive strategies to attend and engage at this open house, should contact Liz Podowski King with Highland Planning at 585-649-1210 or liz@highland-planning.com at least three business days in advance of the meeting.

More information about the I-90 Exit 31 PEL Study can be accessed at: www.Exit31PELStudy.org. The website provides information about the study and upcoming public events, as well as an online comment form.

The I-90 Exit 31 PEL Study is being undertaken by HOCTC in partnership with the New York State Department of Transportation Region 2 and a Technical Advisory Group comprised of federal, state, regional and local transportation representatives. The study will be developed through a collaborative planning process to clearly identify issues and develop proposed transportation solutions that will lay the foundation for the future redesign of I-90 Exit 31 Interchange and surrounding roadway network.

Based on extensive data collection, analysis and public input, the study will result in the development of concepts focused on improving roadway system connections between I-90, I-790 and North Genesee Street; increase safety for all road users in proximity to the Exit 31 Interchange and enhance multi-modal mobility (bicyclists, pedestrians and transit users) along the local roadway network, including North Genesee Street and Leland Avenue.

The draft PEL Study Report is anticipated to be completed by Winter 2026. Following public review and comment, the study recommendations and report will be finalized by Spring 2026. This PEL Study will also inform the environmental review for one or more future projects being progressed under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.

Additional opportunities will be made available for the public to participate in the planning process in 2026.

HOCTC is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for both Herkimer and Oneida Counties. HOCTC shares responsibility with the state to develop cooperative transportation plans and programs for the two-county area. HOCTC also provides a forum for the identification of transportation needs by area residents and organizations. The I-90 PEL Study is federally funded with FHWA Planning & FHWA Statewide Planning and Research funds through HOCTC.