Monday, January 17, 2011

Jefferson Heights corridor improvements back on the schedule

 

Jefferson Heights corridor improvements back on the schedule


By Colin DeVries
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
Published: Monday, January 17, 2011 2:12 AM EST
CATSKILL — A year later, the go-ahead has finally been given by the state to begin the $2 million Jefferson Heights streetscaping project along County Route 23B.

Greene County Highway Superintendent Gary Harvey said approval was given Monday by the state Department of Transportation, about a year after approval was initially sought from the state.

Eighty percent of the project will be funded  by the federal Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, 15 percent by the state DOT’s Marchiselli program and a 5 percent local match ($100,000).

A request for bids will be put out immediately, Harvey said, and there should be a bidder awarded next month to begin the pedestrian walkway improvements along the Jefferson Heights corridor.


The project, touted as a significant improvement to Catskill’s gateway from the I-87 and Route 23 interchanges, would create a pocket park near the Millspaugh Camerato Funeral Home, to include benches, bicycle racks and an interpretative kiosk on the Catskill region and former Susquehanna Turnpike.

Period lighting would dot along the refurbished sidewalks, which would include wheelchair-friendly landings and railings near the Route 9W overpass.

Bike pathways are also included in the design.

“It’s a big gateway project, it’s gonna be a great enhancement,” Harvey said.

Construction is anticipated to begin in spring and continue through the summer, Harvey said, with a Columbus Day completion goal.

Traffic will continue to flow throughout the construction, as the improvements will border only the west side of the roadway from Fairview Avenue to Austin Acres.

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