| DOT Brass Tell Folks to Beware of AMVETS Bridge Fixes "Disaster" and "nightmare" were the two words some folks mumbled Thursday night as state officials urged them to leave more travel time or find alternative routes when the AMVETS re-construction project begins at the end of March. The $26 million project includes replacing steel hangers, deck supports, concrete decking and railing; installing new guide rail; and resurfacing the roadway on each end of bridge. "I'm sure there will be ones that arise as we move forward, but we will adapt and adjust our plan to make this as painless as is possible. Some of the questions from residents included whether or not the town of Yorktown will be reimbursed for the all in addition police office force in terms of overtime. "I think patience is going to be the most important thing," she said and added that she still plans to take the Taconic and not the alternative routes but would have to leave her house a bit earlier. To help mitigate traffic flow, DOT is installing 31 Bluetooth traffic sensors, seven traffic cameras and 19 portable message signs throughout the corridor to alert commuters of traffic conditions. The removal of the crossover (built to divert traffic onto the southbound lanes) and the restoration of the media will be completed by Spring 2013. During the public information session at the Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown, DOT project manager Sandra Jobson said the primary purpose of the meeting was to aid people understand the need for the project and to talk about traffic impacts and what measures DOT officials have taken to aid mitigate them. and 3 p. 5 mile stretch. As part of the project, drivers will squeezed from three to two narrower lanes, traveling in each direction during the 3. The speed limit will be reduced from 55 mph to 45 mph. DOT officials said the project will commence on March 26 and reopen the AMVETS bridge on Nov. The complete rehabilitation of the bridge is expected to be completed by Dec. 31. The AMVETS bridge on the Taconic State Parkway was built in 1931 and the last major rehabilitation was completed in 1989. Yorktown resident Judy Tainsky who takes the Taconic every day to go to Hartsdale, where she works as a teachers, had concerns about the safety of people. "It's going to be very difficult," Yorktown police chief Daniel McMahon said. McMahon said the police, fire departments and ambulance corps have partnered with neighboring departments south of the Croton Reservoir in case of emergencies to make sure a quick response. If the bridge opens early, Priebe said the contractor will receive $33,000 each day as a bonus. Bill Gorton, acting regional director for the state Department of Transportation (DOT) said officials met with the public to communicate what they had put in place – from traffic sensors to let commuters know how fast traffic is moving, to barriers which can be removed in an emergency. During the closure, northbound traffic will be re-routed at Pines Bridge Road in New Castle and onto the southbound span. Ten additional state police troopers will be assigned in this area during peak hours to get disabled vehicles off the roadway, McMahon said. In addition, a Yorktown police officer will be stationed at the Traffic Management Center on the Taconic State Parkway to communicate with state police. |
Saturday 10 March 2012
DOT Brass Tell Folks to Beware of AMVETS Bridge Fixes
