The signs of crumbling infrastructure in New York are everywhere, and state officials are actively discussing how to fix it given financial constraints. Paradoxically, momentum seems to be building for a $4 billion highway expansion project—the “Rooftop” Highway—in upstate New York. It’s a truly unlikely idea, perennially rehashed since the days of Richard Nixon, but it has already drained money and effort from the system: the federal government has chipped in $1.5 million to finance a study and the NY State DOT has issued two reports, within 6 years of each other.
As currently imagined, the “Rooftop” Highway would be a 4-lane, limited-access highway that would run 172 miles, connecting I-81 in Watertown to I-87 in Champlain, skirting just north of the “Blue Line”—the perimeter of the Adirondack Park—with potential connectors to Canada. There is an existing road, Route 11, within a few miles of the proposed highway, but it isn’t an interstate.
Those against the project talk about a series of negatives: The slow death of existing downtowns and businesses that line Route 11 and that a new highway would pass by; the ample eminent domain takings of people’s homes and properties; the environmental impacts of fragmenting biodiversity with an impassable road; and the fact that this mostly rural, farmland area isn’t exactly choked with traffic. Among those opponents is a newly founded citizens’ group, YESeleven. When asked why it has taken this long for a group to organize in opposition to the project, John Casserly, one of the group’s founders, told MTR that since the idea has been floating around since the 1950s, many who would be opposed figure it will never happen. They’ve told him “fighting against it is just a waste of time.” However, his group felt the need to come together because proponents of the “pipe dream” highway seem to be gaining traction.
A 2002 NYSDOT study called for a 4-lane expressway or freeway, and in 2003, the project was designated as Congressional High Priority Corridor Number 50, securing $6.3 million in federal funding. In December 2010, USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood visited the area and said that “if the governor decides that a new road is necessary in Upstate New York, then his priorities become our priorities.” Jason Clark of the Business Development Corporation for Greater Massena submitted testimony to the NYS Legislature this spring asking that the federal funds be released for the environmental studies. He has also raised $124,000 for a public education campaign—including $20,000 from the cash-strapped St. Lawrence County Legislature.
Instead of the Rooftop highway, YESeleven supports the recommendations of NYSDOT’s 2008 “Northern Tier Expressway/Route 11 Corridor Study,” which contradicts its earlier study and instead calls for shorter term changes to Route 11. These include the addition of passing lanes in the rural stretches of Route 11; traffic calming where the road passes through villages; and bypasses around the larger towns of Gouverneur, Canton, Potsdam, Malone and Rouses Point as part of an eventual “full expressway concept.” The estimated cost to build the passing lanes alone is $91.9 million (plus $3.6 million in annual maintenance, and $124.4 million in life-cycle resurfacing), and village traffic calming would cost about $11 million. The study’s more pavement-heavy recommendations come with a heftier price tag: The bypasses would cost at least $213 million, and the “full expressway concept” would add hundreds of millions of dollars to the cost.
Rooftop project boosters say the highway will create jobs and attract manufacturing to the area. But as Evan Lowenstein of Empire State Future recently wrote, new highways for rural economic development are “too big of an if,” and violate the “fix it first” approach laid out by New York’s recently passed Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy Act. He cites transportation scholar David Forkenbrock, who studied the relationship between highway development and economic development: “policies that emphasize proper maintenance and relatively minor improvements [to existing roads] are likely to be more cost-effective strategies for economic development than expensive highway projects.”
[…] Solution for Decrepit NY Roads and Bridges: A New $4B Upstate Highway (MTR) […]
Owning property in rural St. Lawrence county and traveling for 35 years up 81 and on Rt 11 has led me to believe that the minimal traffic and congestion that exists on Rt 11 as it stands, the lack of population in rural upstate NY, the lack of prosperity and growth due primarily to lack of population(not enough “footsteps” to attract large growth projects)and per capita incomes would lead one to believe that what is rural should be left rural. Do you want the pristine nature of the north country to mirror Syracuses Erie Boulevard?? Roads do not create prosperity…growth policy and tax policy do… 2 areas where NY State is 30 years behind.
Currently, Route 11 goes right by the main gate of Fort Drum, then into Canton & Potsdam, with their four colleges and universities, as well as back South to Watertown with its two year community college. This last school’s 3000+ student body is 35% Army, recent vets, and Army dependents. The “rooftop” boondoggle away from Rt. 11 would destroy easy winter driving access forever for Drum’s 19,000 troops, 55% married, w/1.5 children, to higher education under GI Bill, military spouse college fund, & other benefit packages. Kiss five Northern NY colleges goodby – three State public – and reduce “Support Our Troops” to a meaningless bumper sticker within a decade of the “rooftop” boondoggle. Brilliant economic planning. Tell Cong. Owens of the House Armed Services Committee at 315-782-3150, and make him earn his pay.
My wife and I, along with two children, have lived in the north country for our entire lives, +60 yrs. At no time have we ever thought that the road system here is inadequate. In fact, when going shopping, to the movies, vacationing, etc., we will 9 times out of 10, head north from our home in Gouverneur, not south to the congestion. We like it to Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, all of which do not have alot of major roads, but a lifestyle to envy, and a fun driving experience. This also goes with my business, having 14 vehicles on the road and completing more than 100 jobs a year in the north country, we have no problems getting to our worksites,getting materials delivered from accross the country,or getting our work completed. THE ROADS ARE FINE, BETTER MAINTENANCE WOULD BE NICE THOUGH.
I just fired off a letter to my NYS Assembly Member. What a stupid proposal! We should be investing in our upstate downtowns to make them more livable places. Highways destroy downtowns.
What economic benefit would derive from creating a quick truck route between nowhere and nowhere? There’s is a drain of population from the drain of employment with no idea of how it will be reversed by this infrastructure investment. Will energy be cheaper? Will it open new markets? Who’s the customer? How do you get your money back?
What in heaven’s name are you talking about? What ‘momentum’? This issue has been dead for years, and with the new budget constraints it’s deader than dead. LaHood made a political statement to appease upstate New Yorkers but calculatingly put responsibility upon the Governor, who hasn’t said a word about any Roof top highway (much less highways in general). So honestly, why the article? Have you run out of things to write about? This isn’t news.
I worked for Alcoa directly or indirectly for 18 years. The company never pushed for a new road or complained about the time it takes to deliver metal, and it has been doing so for over 100 years. While a 15 minute faster route to Cleveland, OH might be a savings to them, they have a power rate that is about the best in the world due to hydro. If jobs are what we want, our resource shouldn’t be a road.
How about finishing the Southern Tier Expressway before starting a new one? Or filling in the several mile gap south of the Alfred area on 15, I think?
When I worked as a Special Assistant to the Commissioner of NYSDOT, my wife gave me a print of the 1823 capital budget for the State of New York. This project was on it.
The Rooftop Highway is a bad idea. As others have said, it would spoil the natural beauty in the North Country- The only real asset we have. It risks making ghost towns of villages along the current route
What I can’t understand is why after all these years this project still considered viable? It will not increase tourism. We have such a short season for vacationing, hunting and fishing— 5 months at best. So how will this super highway pay for itself during the winter months? Seriously, who in their right minds would drive up here in the dead of winter? To go ice fishing?
I think the reason this loser of a project keeps coming up is because someone stands to profit off taxpayer’s expense. Following the money, and it will reveal the true motivation behind this “White Elephant” project.
What a waste of taxpayer money and time All we need is RT.11 to be fixed up a little ,a interstate rooftop highway would do nothing for us people up here except spend our taxdollars and turn our towns into ghost towns and ruin a lot of our farms , FIX RT 11 FIRST!
This proposal is a waste of money, time and energy and would destroy the quality of life we now enjoy in the North Country. If we want economic development, let’s develop trails on state and county land, promote our natural waterways and use the natural beauty of the area to attract tourists and guests. Improve Hwy 11, add shoulders to roads for safe bicycle touring and open hostels and bed and breakfasts for travelers. THere is so much natural beauty in St. Lawrence County, and there is enough land base for both motorized and non motorized trails on state and county forests. Use our tax money wisely, not on this idiotic “road to nowhere”.
With an unemployment rate of 10% plus and jobs leaving Northern NY faster than the people who choose to; you anti development people amaze me. An interstate highway brings so many opportunities to an area that do not exist when you think adding spurs to a road like Rt 11 does. Regional Distribution Centers are built regualrly throughout the United States in rural areas with high unemployemnt rates because it is easy to fill the 2000 to 5000 jobs they bring with them. There is one must… and Interstate! Trucking companies charge more per mile for every mile off an Interstate, no new commerce will ever come to St LAwrence and Franklin Counties with Rt 11 plan!
55 mph and driving through every town between Watertown and Plattsburgh will not bring 1 new job, an interstate will connect commerce between North New England and Central NY and EVERYONE in betwqeen will benefit! NArrow minded (never change anything) attitudes will do only one thing; the the slow methodical death of Northern NY!
I think we have built enough roads in our state already. I agree that some rebuilding of Rt 11 could help in a few spots, but we already have trouble maintaining what roads are in place. If there were a clear demand for this new highway, it would have been built decades ago. This area is one of the most scenic and non-overdeveloped areas in the state, why ruin it now?
Rooftop Highway is a BEYOND STUPID.
NO NO NO NO
Rt 11 could use some upgrading (passing lanes etc) but that is all that is needed.
It would be a tragedy is it was build.
There is no need for a Rooftop Highway through Franklin County to other parts of the NE. The money spent would be a waste and destroy the environment. If there is a need for better transportation by business, why not utilize
the TRAINS!
I think the Rooftop Highway is a much needed idea. Although it may bypass villages like Gouverneur,Canton,Potsdam,and Malone, people are still making these places their shopping destinations. Rt#11 is so congested and so dangerous in the mornings and evenings during the week, we plan our travel /shopping around these parts of the day. There is simply too many vehicles trying to pass slower ones and it makes it dangerous for everyone.
It would be nice to drive down Rt# 11 and enjoy it, and not worry if your going to be involved in someone elses impatience.
I also think this is a great opportunity for major distributors to dot our communities. Its good for local buniness and could create many needed jobs.
We would benefit from this and still keep the qualities of our villages that keep us here still. Growth is a good thing!!!!
Driving on Route 11 from Watertown to Potsdam last night, I remarked to my wife, “We have the road to ourselves.”
We were on the finishing leg of our journey from Indianapolis – our current home – to visit family in Potsdam – my childhood home. Our route from Indy took us on I-70, I-71, I-271, I-90, and I-81. Route 11 was the first rural road we used.
And it was the emptiest road we used. And that – after 13 hours of interstate driving – was such a blessed relief.
Which made me think how much I miss the North Country, and why. It is a truly rural area that revels in its small-town, farm country culture.
The area does not need an interstate. Route 11 is more than sufficient; it is part of the area’s history and culture. Let’s not turn the North Country into another artery for anonymous travelers. Let’s keep our infrastructure in place – repair those sections of Route 11 that need it – and give the North Country Traveler a taste of our region, free from the urban feel of a needless superhighway.
BTW – Saturday we will be driving from Potsdam to Plattsburgh. We have done it for 25 years, and I expect no more congestion on Route 11 this weekend than I have experienced in past trips.
I went to watertown from gouverneur twice last week , and seen a handful of cars. Maybe we should take all that money to get Amtrack service in northern ny. What about paying our share for a bullet train from Albany down the east coast. Oh I know , maybe investing in renewable resourses for the north country. OH OH how about a take break for local business. Really how many rich contracters pockets do the want to line this time.
I went to watertown from gouverneur twice last week , and seen a handful of cars. Maybe we should take all that money to get Amtrack service in northern ny. What about paying our share for a bullet train from Albany down the east coast. Oh I know , maybe investing in renewable resourses for the north country. OH OH how about a taxs break for local business. Really how many rich contracters pockets do they want to line this time.
I’m not sure what Rt. 11 you people are driving on but it can’t be the same one that I do. Any weekday 7am-6pm traffic is heavy, and every year traffic in Canton and Potsdam villages gets more and more congested. The downtowns are already dead. The little niche shops that are still there will still be visited by the locals. Those trying to get from A to B are not going to stop there anyway because they’re too frustrated trying to navigate this ancient transportation system we have in the North Country. The only time traffic is light on Rt.11 is in the wee hours of the morning. To travel from Potsdam to Watertown can take up to two hours for a 71 mile journey. It should take no more than 71 minutes (65mph on an interstate).
Also.. The rooftop project is part of a greater project “Corridor 50” that doesn’t stop at Rouses Point. Rt 11 to Ft. Drum will be a thing of the past once the new spur is completed and all the rest of the junk being regurgetated by the “YesEleven” group will be proven false bit by bit. How would a new expressway destroy Drum or the 4 colleges in Canton/Potsdam? If anything it will make access to them more desireable, easier and quicker. Rt 11 as a whole and also thru the villages won’t be falling apart as rapidly as it has in the past 10-15 years because it won’t be getting the heavy truck traffic. And as far as the environment you’re acting like the entire north country is going to get bulldozed over. We are talking a 200-300 foot wide path. It’s not the end of the world. The longer we wait the harder it’s going to be to get this done!
[…] in October, Mobilizing the Region reported about a fork-in-the-road decision for the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT): […]
Donald Arthur wrote October 7, 2011 at 8:45 am “When I worked as a Special Assistant to the Commissioner of NYSDOT, my wife gave me a print of the 1823 capital budget for the State of New York. This project was on it.”
How typical… propose a project about six years too late, after a basically-parallel but Canadian road (Montréal-Kingston-Toronto) was already opened in 1817 on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River.
This looks like just a duplicate of Ontario 401 (an admittedly busy road) but dumped into some northern NY cornfield where no one will use it as all the traffic to Montréal is already on the big road on the Canuck side.
I’m happy all the 2 or 3 month summer residents are enjoying the unspoiled beauty of Northern New York. I wish I could could enjoy living in NNY as an educated 21 year old born and raised here. Unfortunately I can’t because I have to leave to find work. I can’t find work here because every development project from roads to wind farms is blocked by a small group of wealthy summer residents who could care less about the economy of the region they visit. These are the same people who oppose development in Jamaica and The Bahamas so they can vacation cheaply while the majority of the population lives in abject poverty. When you drive up from New York City or New Jersey take a side trip off US 11 and visit houses with dirt floors and villages with no internet access or cell service. Then tell me this area does not need development.
I travel that road(Rt11) From Burlington VT to Syracuse last summer OMG it took forever to get home.. We Need Interstate Highway to connect I81 to I87 in north.. Yes it was very scenic and the traffic in some areas was very bad… and yes I love the little towns.. but i think it would help to visit these town and villages if there was a interstate highway in the north country…
[…] just south of the Canadian border. In his speech yesterday, the Governor called for a new interstate running parallel with Route […]
Such a big debate! I moved to Gouverneur five years ago. This place is dead! The growth is small to small. Half the town is on welfare. A highway is needed to bring growth to get these people into jobs and of public assistance. But these people don’t care because they are to set in their ways. They are old and greedy or they are young and lazy. They aren’t looking at big picture. The older generation is not caring about the future because they are going to die. Everyone will continue to stay on welfare because of no jobs and the rest of hard working downstate will pay for them.
[…] an end to resource-agnostic demands for spending billions on objectively wasteful projects like the “Rooftop Highway” in the North Country or tunneling I-81 in Syracuse (a consideration that DOT officials had […]
I grew up in Potsdam and now live elsewhere but my parents still live right on Route 11 and it’s a total PITA for me to go visit them. I take 81 north from Syracuse airport, nice drive on that 2-lane (per side) highway. Then I get to Watertown and start the slog down 11 and the trip seems much longer and not as fun. You always get stuck behind 18 wheelers and have to slow down in every tiny half-block town. Passing is dangerous on 11, heck even being on 11 is dangerous.
I would love to see a modern, divided highway going through the north country. Progress people, it’s not always evil and chances are, it’s not going to ruin your way of life as many of the opponents are fear-mongering it will. Most of the towns up ther are already decaying, waiting to die completely. A better road system can only improve that.
Wow I can’t Believe so Many People are so Backwards on here, Route 11 is TERRIBLE I have lived between Watertown and Malone and between the enormous police and the amount of amish on the roads it takes easily twice as long as it would on a highway. I am in the Animal Feed Business and It cost significantly more for us to haul feed all the way up on route 11, most mills wont even go up their even with the large amount of farms it just is to slow. The interstate would finally bring life to the north country and be the only chance to keep the youth. Let’s be honest here at a nice 4 Billion dollar price tag we as in the people of the north country won’t pay for most of that, down state will. Hearing all these backwards people makes me want to just say forget up the north country if they wanna be backwards whatever and Move to Central new York, something I know most of my young friends in the north country feel most of the time. I will gladly pay my share of higher taxes for the connection of 81 and 87, that’s Progress that what makes America Great!