Round Lake Road Improvement Project

In 2013 the Town of Malta adopted the Malta Round Lake Road Corridor Plan 2012 Comprehensive Plan Amendment. The Corridor Plan was built upon work previously completed in the corridor, including the Town of Malta’s Mini-Master Plan for the Round Lake Road/Exit 11 Area in 1993, the Town of Malta Comprehensive Plan in 2005, and the Town-wide Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) in 2006. These documents have consistently identified the need for creating a neighborhood center in the study area that accommodates pedestrians and bicyclists while providing sufficient vehicle operations.

At the conclusion of the Corridor Plan in 2013, funding for the construction of roadway capacity and mobility improvements was identified. Based upon the recommendations within the Corridor Plan and the previous planning history in the corridor, two primary roadway alternatives are being evaluated for construction:
  • Construct single-lane roundabouts at the Round Lake Road intersections with Ruhle Road/Raylinsky Road and Chango Drive
  • Construct eastbound and westbound left-turn lanes at the Round Lake Road intersection with Ruhle Road/Raylinsky Road and provide three lanes to Chango Drive
These two roadway alternatives include accommodations for all modes of travel and connections within and through the corridor in order to create a “complete street” along Round Lake Road. The Round Lake Road Corridor Special Board (aka Advisory Committee) Final Report and Recommendation dated January 9, 2013 identified the roundabout alternative as the preferred alternative due to the traffic calming, roadway safety, and community character benefits associated with the overall alternative.

In 2013, the Town Board established a capital project for the improvement of traffic flow and safety along Round Lake Road within the Town of Malta. Creighton Manning Engineering was selected as the consultant for the Town of Malta Round Lake Road Corridor Improvement Project and was tasked with performing preliminary engineering and design, right of way incidentals, and right-of-way acquisition services.

The Town Board appointed a steering committee for the project to monitor the scope, schedule, and budget for the project, as well as, to provide input and information from their organizations, as requested by the consultant. The Committee consisted of: a Town Board Member, Town Building and Planning Coordinator, a representative from Saratoga County Department of Public Works, a representative from the Shenendehowa Central School District, the Town Comptroller, a resident of the neighborhood, a member of the Round Lake Hose Company No. 1, a member of the Malta Ambulance Corp., a police officer and a Round Lake resident selected by the Village Trustees.

During the last six months of 2013, Creighton Manning Engineering has progressed the preliminary design for improvements to Round Lake Road. Based on the previously completed Corridor Plan, both roundabouts and traffic signal alternatives were evaluated and progressed on a more detailed level. These alternatives were evaluated with respect to numerous criteria including: conformance with project objectives identified, as part of the Corridor Plan; effect on the environment including wetlands, historic resources, and endangered species; safety for all modes of travel; traffic operations; construction cost; right-of-way; and traffic calming.

During this preliminary design phase, three meetings with the project steering committee, meetings with property owners, and a public workshop took place. Based on the engineering evaluations and public involvement, it was determined that while both the roundabout and traffic signal alternatives are considered feasible, Creighton Manning provided the following recommendation to the Town Board:
  • Single-Lane Roundabout at Ruhle/Raylinky Roads
  • Single-Lane Roundabout at Chango Drive
  • Segmented median (landscaped or hardscaped), flush or raised
  • 5 foot asphalt path connections on either end of the project
  • Flashing Beacons at Round Lake Road pedestrian crossings
  • Street lighting
  • Landscaping infill
  • Street amenities – benches, signage, etc.
At the December 30, 2013 Town Board meeting, the Board adopted the preferred alternative based upon the recommendation of Creighton Manning as set forth above

For additional information please visit the Round Lake Road Improvement Project website.

Documents