Tiny Size, High Cost of NY Sidewalk Project Critiqued by South Nyack Officials

SOUTH NYACK, NY — New York state wants to use federal funding to repair a short length of sidewalk in a project that would require the village hire a $60,000 consultant.

For the kind of money this would cost, the village could repair a lot more sidewalk on its own, village officials said.

There's actually a public comment period, which ends March 24.

Here's what village officials have to say about it:

In July of 2016, the Village of South Nyack (Village) was invited to provide a list of prioritized candidate projects to receive federal funding via New York State Department of Transportation (NYS DOT) under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST).

The following projects were identified by the Village:

1. Pedestrian flashing crosswalk signals for the South Broadway and Voorhis Avenue intersection.

2. Ninety-seven handicap accessible sidewalk ramps with detectable warning surfaces.

3. Drainage capture to protect the Esposito Trail from runoff from Route 9W.

4. Repair of sidewalk along the west side of Route 9W from Road F north to South Highland Avenue.

NYS DOT chose to submit only the fourth item for federal funding. The Village estimated a total cost of $114,000 which was based on 3000 feet at $38 per linear foot.

Section 46 of State Highway Law requires that villages are responsible for the maintenance of anything beyond the curb line as they pass through the village.

However, in order to receive the $114,000 grant, the Village would be required to hire an approved consultant at an estimated cost of $60,000 and to make an additional $20,000 contribution to the project. Furthermore under NYS DOT budgeting requirements there is a greater cost per linear foot used in the calculation. This reduced the project scope to the area from Road F north to Longview Court.

As it stands, the Village would shoulder a cost of about $80,000 to complete this project which would only repair the sidewalk on the west side of Route 9W from Road F north to Longview Court.

Further information is available from NYMTC at https://goo.gl/eDtWbL

Analysis

The matter was discussed at the Board of Trustees Meeting of March 22, 2017. It was brought up that the required expenditure of $80,000 in Village funds in order to secure the grant would be more effective if used to rehabilitate the areas of village-owned sidewalk that require the most immediate attention. At the rate of $38 per linear foot, $80,000 would provide for about 2000 feet of sidewalk repair. Further, the Village would be able to scale the rehabilitation to match its available funds.

If the Village's contribution to the Rte. 9W sidewalk project could be eliminated or at least reduced significantly, the Rte. 9W sidewalk project may make financial sense.

Action

Residents are invited to comment on the project. The project number is 876173. Comments should be emailed toOluseye.Folarin@dot.ny.gov and copied to the mayor atBonnie.Christian@southnyack.ny.gov

The NYMTC comment period closes at 4:00pm on March 24th, 2017.

Specific Responses to Resident Questions

Is this sidewalk a new addition?

This project would repair and/or replace the aging sidewalk along the west side of Route 9W from Road F north. It would not create any new sidewalk area.

How does this sidewalk fit with plans for the LHTL, the SUP, the New Bridge commuter pathway?

This project does not intersect with LHTL, the New Bridge SUP project nor does it link to the SUP or its pedestrian pathways.

How does this sidewalk address traffic and safety issues, including pedestrian crossing of Route 9W?

This project addresses pedestrian safety to the extent that it provides an improved sidewalk in an area where the current sidewalk is not in optimal condition. It does not in any way address the east side of Route 9W nor does it address pedestrian crossing of Route 9W.

Is the land owned by the State or the Village? Will land be acquired?

The land upon which the sidewalk currently sits is within the state right-of-way. No land would change hands as a result of this project.

Why doesn’t the sidewalk extend all the way from Shadyside to Route 59?

Route 9W south of Road F is expected to be addressed by the SUP Terminus (Concept F) project. There is only sufficient approved funding to extend north from Road F to Longview Court (see Background above).

Will the sidewalk configuration allow for future bus stops on 9W?

This project simply addresses replacing the current sidewalk. It does not encompass any changes to the design of the sidewalk.

Who is responsible for snow removal on this sidewalk?

Under village code the property owner adjacent to the sidewalk, which for this section of Route 9W is the Village of South Nyack, is responsible for snow removal

SEE: Comment Period Opens on 9W Sidewalk Reconstruction Plan