Transportation
The Tompkins County Comprehensive Plan aims to create a transportation system that is efficient, affordable, and environmentally friendly. To achieve this, the County seeks to maintain and improve its existing transportation network, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, promote alternative modes of transportation like biking, walking, and public transit, support land use patterns that facilitate efficient movement, ensure the smooth flow of freight, maintain airport services, and address the transportation needs of vulnerable populations. For more details, please refer to Transportation Chapter(PDF, 7MB) of the Tompkins County Comprehensive Plan.
Mobility Vision Plan for Tompkins County (2024-2027)
In 2024, the County Legislature approved the Mobility Vision Plan for Tompkins County (2024-2027)(PDF, 408KB), a comprehensive strategy for improving transportation in the county. The Mobility Vision prioritizes customer-focused mobility management, aiming to provide equitable access to transportation for all residents. This plan addresses the social determinants of health by breaking down transportation barriers, ensuring fair access to essential destinations like jobs, healthcare, and education.
Tompkins Priority Trails Strategy Update (2023)
In 2023, the Tompkins County Legislature accepted the Tompkins Priority Trails Strategy 2023 Update(PDF, 914KB). The updated Strategy seeks to develop and sustain trails that will move the County significantly towards a cohesive, destination-quality trail network providing linkages to local recreation, employment, services, and transit in the county. In addition the Strategy identifies 27 specific near-term actions that can be taken collectively by municipalities, Tompkins County, New York State, trails advocates, property owners, conservation groups, institutions of higher education, and other stakeholders.
State Route 13 Corridor Study (2020)
The Tompkins County Department of Planning and Sustainability and the Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council completed a corridor study of New York State Route 13 (Route 13) in Tompkins County focused on the 9-mile stretch of the corridor along Route 13 from Warren Road (Village of Lansing) to the Village of Dryden’s western boundary. It has 14 total intersections, including five priority intersections that carry significant amounts of traffic. It is a primary commuter travel corridor serving employment centers in the Ithaca area, as well as a main freight route for trucks serving local businesses.
In fall 2020, Tompkins County completed the study, which provides strategic guidance for future projects and helps protect the functionality, capacity, and reliability of the roadway while ensuring the safety of its users.
Project Study Area:
Project Materials:
Tompkins County Green Fleet Program Development
Tompkins County is in the process of developing a Green Fleet Program to advance conversion to plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) and manage the County fleet to reduce consumption of fossil fuels. The project defines four tasks to 1) advise County departments in selection of PEVs, 2) develop a PEV Charging Station Report, 3) draft a Fleet Review Report, and 4) finalize a Tompkins County Fleet Management Framework. The Fleet PEV Charging Report is now complete and available below.
Fleet Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Charging Infrastructure Report(PDF, 2MB) (August 2019)