GREENE – About 80 people came out this week for a public hearing on improvements proposed for 5.5 miles of state Rt. 12 from just south of Genegantslet Road to just north of Harbor Road in the Town of Greene.
The estimated $16.9 million project would address the deteriorated condition of Rt. 12 and the Rt. 41/206 overlap, and includes recommendations from a task force initiated by the Chenango County Chamber of Commerce back in 2002.
Those recommendations include turning and passing lanes where practical, in order to further improve the reliability and mobility of the facility. The DOT’s core objectives are to rehabilitate the pavement and address safety and drainage related-deficiencies.
While state transportation officials are unsure exactly how to pay for the entire project, they plan to proceed with a timeline that aims for work to begin in the summer of 2011.
The Obama Administration’s federal stimulus funds would not be applicable, said Jack Williams, director of the DOT’s Region 7. Williams told the audience gathered at Greene High School that stimulus money is for “shovel ready” highway projects that can be completed in 120 days, not for projects on the scale of the work proposed in Greene.
Williams said the approximately $7 million federal funds previously awarded to the task force for what he called “enhancement work” would be used to pay for that work, however limited capital funds are currently available in Region 7 for “core” work that would bring the roadway up to safety standards.
“The Task Force was very instrumental in securing earmarks for the project, and the DOT recognizes that and we are committed to preserving RT. 12 now and in the future,” he said.
“But here’s the kicker: We may not be able to deliver a $16.9 million project. Each year we are capped and it is difficult to maintain all of the aging infrastructure in our seven county region. We are only permitted to address core needs. This project does more it enhance. We are not able to program a project like that this year,” he said.
Williams said he hoped the fiscal environment in 2011 would be different.
Some specific changes Include: The majority of the roadway within the project area will be widened to accommodate turning and passing lanes. The bridge over the Genegantslet Creek Overflow will be replaced. The concrete slab bridge over Birdsall Creek will be widened to accommodate the new three-lane section. Culverts will be lengthened, replaced or rehabilitated and improvements will be made to the closed drainage system at the State Route 206 intersection. Additionally, guide railing and signs will be replaced.
Speed limits will not be lowered. Posted limits are consistent with 85 percent of the motorists ‘ speeds, a DOT conducted study proved.
The project would require one residential home relocation, 44 feet of right of way acquisitions, 9 permanent easements and 2 temporary easements.
The DOT provides financial services and benefits to occupants require to move.
Snapshots of each intersection that would be addressed were available for viewing before the gathering. Property owners were able to comment formally as well as ask DOT engineers and project coordinators specific questions.
Most were concerned about inadequate water drainage along the highway and at intersections, as well as heavy, fast-moving truck traffic. Local school bus driver John Newell, of Grace Drive in Greene, said without reducing the speed limit, “it will make it difficult to turn off the road into right and left side turns. ... Those trucks will use the new turning lanes to pass by.”
Catherine Wedge, of county Rd. 1, called for an environmental review to protect fishing and wildlife along the Genegantslet Creek. “I’m concerned about the integrity of the stream. We need to protect it from pollution or corrosion (from the project),” she said.