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History shows school district asked for State DOT's help with Route 11 years before student was seriously hurt

HASTINGS, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Years before a 12-year-old student was hit by a car on Route 11, history shows repeated requests for the State Department of Transportation to enhance safety outside Central Square Middle School. Letters obtained by NewsChannel 9, dating back 25 years, show written requests for the DOT to install a traffic signal at Route 11's intersection with the middle school's driveway. The letters indicate that the school district made the request at least four times: in 2000, 2004, 2013, and 2016. Each time, responding representatives for the State DOT indicate the agency conducted studies at the intersection and rejected a traffic signal or light outside the middle school. In an August 1, 2016 letter to State Senator Pattie Ritchie, the Oswego-area state senator at the time, DOT Commissioner Matthew Driscoll wrote: 'The study was very comprehensive and included an analysis of a six-year accident history, a three-day traffic count during school peak periods, and evaluation of the on-site conditions. The traffic volumes were below the minimum needed to warrant a signal, and the accident history did not support making any changes to the intersection.' The initial request from Senator Richie said, 'Parents, village officials in Central Square and members of the community all agree that the addition of a traffic light would greatly contribute to improved safety at the school. This traffic light would help ease the spike in traffic during times when parents are dropping off and picking kids up, as well as ease the difficulty for school buses.' 'NYSDOT staff will continue to monitor the intersection for a change in conditions that would warrant a restudy,' Driscoll concluded his letter. On Wednesday, Central Square School Superintendent Tom Colabufo told NewsChannel 9 he's renewing the district's efforts to get the DOT to improve safety in front of the middle school. Colabufo said he's been in touch with Hastings Town Supervisor Tony Bush and State Senator Chris Ryan. Colabufo said installation of a traffic light, as has been requested for years before his administration, would come with a crosswalk to benefit the safety of students crossing the street. Senator Chris Ryan's office confirms it heard from Colabufo on Wednesday and commits to renewing the conversation with the State DOT's engineers. Through a spokesperson, Senator Ryan said, 'It is deeply concerning to learn that numerous attempts and requests to initiate a light or crosswalk did not come to fruition. The recent accident involving a Central Square student is a tragic reminder that we must prioritize the safety of our children over traffic convenience.' Another letter obtained by NewsChannel 9 shows the Town of Hastings discontinued employment of a crossing guard used by the district in 2007. '…the Town of Hastings will no longer provide this service and your employment is terminated as of this date,' wrote then-Supervisor James Weatherup to the crossing guard. In 2004, lawyers for the Central Square School District said state law requires crossing guards to be employed by the municipal government, not the school district. In a statement to NewsChannel 9 on Tuesday, when asked about the safety concerns on Route 11, a State DOT spokesperson said: 'Safety is always the priority of the New York State Department of Transportation. As the recent pedestrian-involved crash is the subject of a law enforcement investigation, we cannot comment further at this time.' 'My office has heard from the Central Square School District Superintendent Tom Colabufo regarding previous conversations with the Department of Transportation about installing a traffic light and crosswalk in front of Central Square Middle School—conversations that predate my time in office. It is deeply concerning to learn that numerous attempts and requests to initiate a light or crosswalk did not come to fruition. The recent accident involving a Central Square student is a tragic reminder that we must prioritize the safety of our children over traffic convenience. I am fully committed to reigniting this conversation with the DOT and will advocate for the necessary safety measures to be implemented as soon as possible. The safety of our students, families and community members must come first. I look forward to working with the District, local leaders and state officials to ensure that no family has to endure this kind of heartbreak again.' New York State Senator Chris Ryan (D), Geddes – 50th District Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.