The commission countered with a proposal calling for the construction of a new highway along the east bank of the Chenango River that bypassed downtown. Since the bypass would not enter the city limits, the proposed road was not eligible for the arterial highway program. By 1953, the city developed a new plan that gave Broad Street to the state while also establishing East Main Street and the section of East River Road between Main Street and NY 23 as arterial highways. The latter two routes would comprise an eastern bypass of northern Norwich while falling within the criteria for the arterial highway program. The revised proposal was approved by city voters by a 641–250 vote in 1953, allowing for bills to add the roads as state highways to enter the New York State Legislature in January 1954. Both were approved and signed into law by Governor Thomas E. Dewey within two months.