WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – Extreme weather events like wind storms and flooding are becoming more common in the north country, and because of that, a local board wants to know how severe weather has impacted you.
“This has been an exceptional year weather-wise. Certainly a bit of a detraction from the norm” said John Peck, Chairman of the Watertown Jefferson County Area Transportation Council.
For some, it has caused barriers in how people get to and from places in the city and surrounding towns and villages.
“Sometimes that grassroots visual understanding from local residents that traverse the roads is infinitely more important,” Peck said.
The Watertown Jefferson County Area Transportation Council is a Metropolitan Planning Organization for the city of Watertown and surrounding area.
It and the state Department of Transportation launched a Transportation Resiliency Study. Peck said it will help the council gain insight into problem areas during and after extreme weather events.
“Culverts that are maybe undersized for some of the rain events we’ve had, places that have caused issues with drainage and personal property. High wind issues, if there’s trees that are causing issues with transportation as well,” he said.
That’s where the public comes in. A survey launched by the council asks residents to share how the weather has hurt their access to transportation of ability to travel.
Peck said it could help with federal aid opportunities.
“We’ll be able to produce a document that local governments will have in-hand to be able to justify why they need help with infrastructure improvements,” he said.
The survey closes on October 25th.
The study is expected to be done in December 2024, and will identify recommended projects, policies, and programs to improve the region’s ability to prepare for and recover from extreme weather events.
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