ROCHESTER, NY — Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, joined by Town Supervisor Bill Moehle and County Legislators Susan Hughes-Smith, Linda Hasman, Howard Maffucci and Albert Blankley today announced bike lanes will be installed along Elmwood Avenue from South Goodman Street to Twelve Corners. The new lanes are part of a Monroe County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) rehabilitation project on Elmwood Avenue that begins this spring.

 “As Monroe County continues to develop its own Active Transportation Plan, adding bike lanes along Elmwood Avenue is one of the most common suggestions we’ve gotten on our online public input map,” said County Executive Bello. “These new lanes will enhance connectivity throughout Brighton, and make it safer for kids, parents and anyone who bikes or walk along Elmwood Avenue. I thank Supervisor Bill Moehle and his Public Works Department for their support of this project.”

As part of the MCDOT project, county-owned Elmwood Avenue will be modified from four vehicle travel lanes into one eastbound and one westbound travel lane with a center turn lane. The freed-up space will be used to widen road shoulders and incorporate dedicated bicycle lanes. This will enhance safety for bicyclists and make it safer for pedestrians to use the existing sidewalks. Current conditions place some sidewalks directly adjacent to vehicle traffic.

“The benefits of investing in bicycle infrastructure cannot be denied as communities seek to attract residents, spark their economies, ensure transportation equity, promote public health, and address climate change,” said County Legislator Susan Hughes-Smith. “Thank you County Executive Bello and my colleagues in the Legislature for making this investment in our community.”

The Elmwood Avenue work is part of a $3.5 million highway maintenance project in the towns of Brighton and Greece. Other work under the initiative includes drainage repairs, replacing damaged curbs, installing ADA compliant sidewalk ramps, roadway striping and milling and paving Elmwood Avenue as well as Dewey Avenue from Dorsey Road to Latta Road in Greece. Additionally, traffic detection cameras will be installed at select intersections.

 “This improvement initiated by County Executive Bello will improve safety and serve the many people who regularly ride bicycles on Elmwood Avenue, especially to the Backyard Trail and Temple B’rith Kodesh,” said County Legislator Michael Yudelson, who is also executive director of Temple B’rith Kodesh.

The Monroe County Department of Planning is working in partnership with the Genesee Transportation Council to develop an Active Transportation Plan (CATP) for the county. The plan will outline goals and strategies to make self-propelled human-powered travel such as bicycling, rolling (wheelchair, scooter and stroller), hiking and running safer and more convenient for transportation and recreational purposes. The CATP process combines in-depth data collection with inclusive public engagement to promote health, equity and community resilience in Monroe County. Plan recommendations will help shape future transportation improvement projects that enhance safety, connectivity and transit access.

To learn more, visit https://www.monroecountycatp.com/