Published: June 03, 2007 11:45 pm            

Q&A: DOT spokeswoman says state work should have minimal impact on local drivers in ’07

BY APRIL AMADON/amadona@gnnewspaper.com

Orange traffic cones and detour signs are a common sight for drivers during the summer months.

State Department of Transportation spokeswoman Susan Surdej said this year’s construction season should be better for drivers in eastern Niagara County.

“It’s sort of a light season in Niagara County,” Surdej said.

There are still some projects drivers should be aware of, however.

QUESTION: What projects do you have planned in eastern Niagara County this year?

ANSWER: There’s three. The biggest project is the replacement of the bridge on Campbell Boulevard over the Erie Canal. That’s an $8 million project. It will be let in September, so you’re not going to see any construction this summer. It’s going to be let in September, and the completion date is summer 2009. What that involves is the replacement of a new truss bridge over the Erie Canal, and we’re also doing new traffic signals at the intersection of Campbell Road and Tonawanda Creek Road, and a new traffic signal at the intersection of Campbell Boulevard and Tonawanda Creek Road north. We’ll also have new sidewalks on both sides of Campbell Boulevard between those two intersections and over the bridge. Also, a canal lookout area being constructed on each side, one in Amherst and one in Pendleton. And the entrance to the multi-use trail, Amherst side, is also being reconstructed.

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Q: How will these projects affect traffic flow in the area?

A: Obviously, there’s going to be a detour in place because we’re replacing a bridge, so we’re not going to be able to maintain on-site traffic. There’s going to be a separate truck detour and a separate car detour once this project is under way.

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Q: What are the other projects happening in our area?

A: The second one is NY Route 425. We’re doing drainage improvements and maintenance paving from the Erie County line to Nash Road. That project is going to be let this month, in June, so we would be looking for that to be completed this fall. The third project is on the Robert Moses (Parkway), that’s a drainage project, installation of new drainage. That’s from the Grand Island Bridge to John B. Daly Boulevard. That’s set to be let in July and completed in the fall. Now, neither of these projects will have major impacts to traffic. There will be lane closures associated, but they will be short-term lane closures. You’re not going to see any long delays or posted detours. Obviously you’re going to need lane closures if you’re paving. They’ll pave one lane, they’ll switch traffic over. They’ll be relatively short lane closures.

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Q: What can drivers do to make this whole process easier for everybody involved?

A: First of all, if you don’t have to drive through the areas of construction, certainly you would like to try to avoid them. Secondly, we ask everyone to observe the posted signs, letting people know there are work zones in the area. Because you don’t necessarily see workers doesn’t mean they’re not out there, so we ask everyone to obey the work zone signs and the posted speed limit signs and all the warning signs associated with work zones. If you have to go through a work zone, we ask everyone to just plan ahead and leave a little extra time to reach your destination.

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Q: Is there a place people can go to find out more information about the projects that are going on?

A: Yes. Anytime people want to check on if their route is being impacted by construction, there’s a Web site that’s maintained. It’s www.travelinfony.com. ... That has updated traffic information, so people can check their routes before they leave. Also, on the D.O.T. Web site, you can read about (projects). Now, none of these projects are probably going to be on there, because they’re relatively small projects, but larger projects are on the D.O.T. Web site, which is www.nysdot.gov.

Contact reporter April Amadon at 439-9222, ext. 6251.

        

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