Executive Summary
Though it owns no buses, nor roadways, trails, or any other physical infrastructure assets, the Ulster County Transportation Council (UCTC) is the entity responsible for allocating federal funding to address the transportation needs of its planning area which consists of all of Ulster County. Among many other needs, funding through UCTC keeps Ulster County’s buses running, roads paved, infrastructure safe, trails in good condition, and helps chart the county’s course going forward – understanding its history, where it stands, and how it can continue to improve for those who live, work, and visit Ulster County.
This is no small task, as the needs are great, and a total of $1.9 billion in investment is anticipated over the next 25 years. UCTC supports both the maintenance of today’s transportation infrastructure and the improvements needed to address tomorrow’s challenges and seize on emerging opportunities
Mobility 2050 long-range transportation plan is the very core of UCTC’s transportation planning. It is a federally mandated, multimodal transportation plan that guides the development of a region’s transportation system, considering all modes of travel (e.g., automobile, transit, bicycle, pedestrian, and freight). The Plan is crucial for ensuring a safe, efficient, and sustainable transportation network for the future. All studies and initiatives of UCTC are guided by Mobility 2050, which sets the overall framework for investment. The recommended investments outlined in this plan provide the foundation on which the County can achieve its quality of life, economic development, environmental protection, safety, and public health goals.
Mobility 2050 is not merely UCTC’s plan – it has been cooperatively developed through input from many other public agencies as well as contributions from members of the public.
Much has changed since the prior edition — known as Plan 2045 — was adopted in September 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic has receded, however its impacts on Ulster County’s society and economy continue to reverberate, with housing affordability a growing issue. In 2021, we saw a major federal law (the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) establish new competitive funding programs that have changed how the nation’s infrastructure is planned and managed. However, at the same time construction cost inflation has increased at a pace not seen for many decades. In the background of all of this are the UCTC’s changing demographics (a growing and aging population), broader technological developments (electric vehicles, cars with increasingly sophisticated technology, and emerging options such as micromobility, e-bikes, and bikesharing). The county’s infrastructure is also aging, leading to increased needs for maintenance and preservation, coupled with strategic planning to ensure new or upgraded facilities meet the needs of generations to come.
In the pages that follow, Mobility 2050 addresses Ulster County’s current and forecasted transportation needs, and establishes the vision, goals, and objectives to guide the region’s transportation planning efforts and investment decisions. In coordination with federal and state partners, Mobility 2050 evaluates the condition of the region’s transportation system, what it will take to reach a state-of-good-repair, as well as performance in other areas including road safety, traffic congestion, and active transportation mobility.
Mobility 2050 lays out an ambitious program of both maintenance and enhancement projects. Planned investments range from new sidewalks and trails to intersection improvements designed to address safety and congestion concerns. It includes enhanced resilience in the face of extreme weather and extensive capital investments in the county’s transit system – including electrification of buses. Finally, it brings forward a concern about the long-term fiscal capacity of local governments in Ulster County to address the needs of the transportation infrastructure under their jurisdiction.
The Ulster County Transportation Council thanks everyone whose contributions have led to Mobility 2050 and encourage all who are interested in the future of the county’s transportation system to join our mailing list to stay abreast of the full set of upcoming opportunities to get involved with UCTC.
The Plan success relies on its ability to present compelling reasons for its recommendations that are translated into actions by those charged with implementation. The UCTC, in its role as the Metropolitan Planning Organization for Ulster County, and working with our federal, state, and regional partners, will continue its efforts to implement the Plan through its planning studies, data, gathering, and investment decisions to ensure that the County’s transportation system contributes to continued economic development and improved quality of life in our area.