New York Ave. Drainage Project Moving Forward, Despite State Budget Woes

The flood-drainage improvement project scheduled to begin this spring on New York Avenue will not be affected by Governor David Paterson's suspension of payments to many state-funded construction projects that was announced today.

"The bids have been opened and we have an apparent low bidder," Eileen Peters, New York State Department of Transportation Region 10 spokesperson, said Wednesday. "Now the bid is going through the normal review process before we actually do a formal award. The process includes, in very simplistic terms, steps to make sure that the contractor, number one, is going to accomplish all we need to accomplish and, number two, that the bid meets all of the rules, regulations and policies of the state DOT and NewYork state itself."

This section of New York Avenue north of Main Street was originally constructed in 1929, as was the majority of the existing drainage system, according to the DOT. Minor drainage improvements were made in the mid-1980's. As reported in it still floods early and often.

To combat that, the DOT's approximately $18 million project design proposal includes raising the lowest point of Route 110 Hill Place and Creek Road by one foot; constructing a new culvert on Creek Road, as well as widening the creek, in order to both divert the runoff and give it a place to go; and installation of roundabouts  for the intersections of New York Avenue and Creek Road and New York Avenue and Mill Dam Road.

Several drainage and highway improvement alternatives between Prime Avenue and Young's Hill Road were studied to address stormwater management and flooding issues, as well as how to improve pedestrian traffic safety, before DOT engineers selected the final proposal.

Peters said if all goes well with the low bidder's qualification review process, construction will likely state in late spring and last approximately one year.

Some delays will be unavoidable, but every effort will be made to minimize the impact residents and motorists. One lane in each direction will remain open at all times during construction.

Work on the 110 interchange with the Long Island Expressway was stopped, pending state budget approval. The New York State Legislature has a self-imposed budget-approval deadline of April 1. It is not currently in session and is not scheduled to return until April 7. State-aid payments to schools, usually sent out March 31, are also being deferred.

The complete list of improvements as provided by the DOT:
Drainage improvements:

• Increased culvert capacity at the Mill Dam Road outfall.

• Improved operation and increased capacity at tide gates.

• Culverts removed from the creek south of tide gates.

• A cleaned/re-graded creek.

• Relocated sewer lines constricting the creek at Mill Lane and Hill Place.

• A new aesthetically pleasing environmental treatment/filtration basin on the Town's vacant property located between Creek Road and Mill Dam Road to accept storm water runoff.

• The low point of NY Route 110 raised by one foot.

• A new culvert on Creek Road to divert most runoff from the south on NY Route 110, to the creek north of Mill Lane, along with a widened creek from Mill Lane to Hill Place to accept additional flow. A large box culvert at Hill Place will intercept most flow from the creek, running west on Hill Place and north on Creek Road and back into the creek at Creek Road.

Roadway:

• New roadway pavement.

• New or repaired curb and sidewalk throughout the project area.

• Improved striping and pedestrian crosswalks where needed.

• Upgraded roadside signage.

• Improved sight distance at crossroads and driveways wherever feasible.

• Sidewalk/utility/snow storage strip.

• New roundabouts installed with raised medians at Creek Road and Mill Dam Road.