Mount Read Boulevard Corridor Study Update - Existing Conditions & Needs Phase
Mount Read Boulevard Corridor Study Update - Existing Conditions & Needs Phase
The Genesee Transportation Council (GTC), in cooperation with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), is updating the 2014 Mount Read Boulevard Corridor Study. The purpose of this effort is to re-envision the corridor and develop a strategy for addressing transportation needs that ensures mobility, safety, multi-modal opportunities and considers potential opportunities generated by the impact of changes to the Mount Read Boulevard Corridor between NYS Route 31 (Lyell Avenue) and NYS Route 104 (West Ridge Road) in the City of Rochester.
This segment of Mount Read Boulevard is a mixed-use corridor, home to municipal facilities, residences, parks, manufacturing facilities, commercial businesses, and not for profit agencies. The 2014 study plan introduced a total of six possible stages for overall project implementation; some of which have been realized as part of a NYSDOT prior capital project (NYS Route 33 (Buffalo Road) to NYS Route 31 (Lyell Avenue). Land use changes, a new infrastructure law, and the pandemic have culminated together indicating a need to re-evaluate the corridor.
When completed, this study will provide a coordinated collection of connected, feasible, and reasonable concepts, vetted by the GTC, NYSDOT, and Steering Committee. These concepts will be grouped by priority area, and progressed into the next stages of alternative selection, environmental study, design, and construction as funding becomes available, helping to set the direction for the corridor’s development into the future.
Mount Read Boulevard Corridor Open House Meeting #1 Presentation
The first in-person public meeting for the Mount Read Boulevard Corridor Study Update was held on Monday, October 6, 2025 at Foodlink, 2011 Mt Read Blvd, Rochester, NY 14615. The meeting included a brief presentation and open house stations. The objective of this public meeting was to introduce the study, review the project area, schedule, and obtain input on issues and long-range opportunities. Click the image below to view the slideshow that was presented at the meeting. Click to view PDF.
Overview
The presentation introduces the Mount Read Boulevard Corridor Study Update, a joint effort led by the Genesee Transportation Council with NYSDOT Region 4, Monroe County DOT & Planning, City of Rochester, and Town of Greece. It builds upon the 2012 corridor study and now examines the section from Lyell Avenue (Route 31) to West Ridge Road (Route 104).
Study Purpose
The update aims to:
- Re-envision the corridor to improve mobility, safety, and multimodal access
- Address current deficiencies and plan for future capital projects
- Consider truck movement, roadway condition, and crash history
Existing Conditions
- Traffic volumes: 19,000–22,000 vehicles/day; ~0.5% annual growth
- Heavy truck activity is significant
- Crash patterns: rear-end, right-angle, and overtaking collisions concentrated at intersections
- 3 pedestrian/bicycle crashes (2022-2025)
- Confusing service roads (one-way/two-way, signalized/unsignalized) are a key safety concern
- Physical conditions: aging pavement, retaining wall under rail bridge, and overgrown vegetation
Community Engagement Plan
Includes:
- Stakeholder interviews and three focus groups
- Two public meetings (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026)
- Collaboration with industrial, retail, school, resident, and planning stakeholders
Focus Group Themes
- Safety & confusion: service roads cause risk and unclear movements
- Speed: excessive speeds, desire for 35 mph target
- Maintenance & appearance: infrastructure deterioration
- Equity & multimodal needs: >25% of Rochester households lack cars—need better walk/bike/transit infrastructure
- Land use: corridor remains industrial with limited expansion space; few worker amenities
- Vision ideas: roundabouts, medians, service-road removal, simplified access
The Road Ahead
Next phases:
- Analyze existing conditions in detail
- Develop and evaluate concept alternatives
- Estimate costs and identify funding opportunities
- Host second public meeting (Spring 2026)
- Complete final report by Summer 2026
Open House Stations
- Station 1 – Corridor Priorities: Identify pressing problems and current user needs
- Station 2 – Street Design & Safety: Discuss risk areas, speed perception, service road design, and safety ideas
- Station 3 – Long-Term Vision: Explore how the corridor should adapt to future growth and what improvements should come first
Location:
The study area is between Route31 (Lyell Avenue) to the south and Route 104 (West Ridge Road) to the north.
Traffic
About 19,000 to 22,000 vehicles drive this section of Mt. Read Blvd per day. A high percentage are commercial trucks.
The Genesee Transportation Council is providing federal planning funds through the 2024-2025 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) to assist the NYSDOT Region 4 and the City of Rochester conduct an update to the Mount Read Blvd Corridor Study. The goal is to create a plan that identifies transportation needs along the Mount Read Boulevard corridor in Rochester. This plan will focus on supporting the movement of goods and helping local businesses, while also improving the feel of the surrounding neighborhoods and exploring options for different types of transportation
Contact staff liasion Chris Snyder for more information about GTC's role in this planning project by emailing him at csnyder@gtcmpo.org or calling him at (585) 232-6240.
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