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*M I N U T E S COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1999 4:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chair: Pinto. Members: Abinanti, Maisano, Noto, and Ryan. Legislators: Kaplowitz, LaMotte. Staff: Bass, Vita.
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Hugh Grecian, Deputy Commissioner of DPW; Bill Randolph, County Executive’s office; New York City Department of Environmental Protection Agency: Jeff Busse, Jeanine Tankoos, Joe Ruthowski, Sandra Jackson; Bill Nyman, Attorney with Hardesty & Handover, New York City; John Dinin, Town of Bedford Supervisor; Sy Globerman, Town of North Salem Supervisor; Krista Andry, representing Town of Somers Supervisor Mary Beth Murphy.
Mr. Pinto called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m.
Mr. Pinto thanked the representatives from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and the municipal officials from Northern Westchester for attending today’s meeting. He explained that the Board must approve recommendations either to renovate or remove Lakeside Bridge in Bedford and Deans Bridge in Somers. He said the two bridges have been closed for several years and the County must resolve the fate of both bridges.
Lakeside Bridge – Town of Bedford Members of the NYCDEP are inclined to take down the bridge because of deterioration. The bridge has been closed since 1992, the entrance to Interstate 684 needs asphalt, and gravel has to be removed near a small area that has been used by commuters from Metro-North and should be blocked off in certain areas.
Supervisor Dinin said the bridge is located near the entrance of I-684 and Route 22. Public hearings were held several years ago and police and highway officials supported closing the bridge permanently.
*For additional information, a tape is on file. Revised 8/13/99 APPROVED 8/17/99-PJN/RGW MINUTES COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1999 PAGE 2_____________________________________________________
Mrs. LaMotte asked if the bridge could be taken down and re-designed for a safer intersection.
Mr. Dinin also asked if it was feasible to connect the parking lot to the bridge and somehow utilize it as a part of the roadway to connect the parking lot to the bridge creating additional parking for commuters.
Members of DEP said they will review the request and will follow up with their findings.
On the motion of Legislator Ryan, second by Legislator Noto, the Committee approved the removal of Lakeside bridge and that part of the roadway connecting the parking lot to the bridge will be used for additional parking for Metro-North passengers. All in favor, motion carried 5-0.
Deans Bridge – Towns of Somers and North SalemThe bridge connects the two towns between Route 22 in North Salem and Route 100 in Somers, east of the bridge is a grade railroad crossing for the Metro-North Harlem line
North Salem Supervisor, Sy Globerman, said the bridge has linked the two towns for years, and now is a source of tension between the two. When the bridge was first built, the volume of traffic was not as heavy as it is today. Since IBM relocated to Somers traffic has increased. Mr. Globerman asked DEP if the traffic situation worsened, can the bridge be replaced. He briefly explained the situation at the bridge as it is today:
· Backed up morning driver’s use Route 22 in order to get to IBM. · In February 1999, a traffic control officer was installed at the intersection in order to assist passengers entering the ramps to 684. · IBM will be increasing employees, therefore creating more traffic. · DOT can make improvements, but it will not alleviate traffic problems. · There is no cost to the County to re-establish the bridge and it should be the responsibility of DOT · Residents plan to benefit if the bridge is kept open.
Krista Audry, Somers Planning Office, spoke on behalf of Supervisor Murphy, with the following statement: MINUTES COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1999 PAGE 3_____________________________________________________
· Town is concerned with residential network; the road has been designated as a local road with no interest to upgrade its status. · The road is not in good condition, especially since the bridge closed and both DPW and DEF have found descrepencities. · Closure of Deans Bridge would have minimal traffic impact and would protect the residents in the area from Route 22 traffic. · If the bridge were removed, the Town would like to preserve the swallow conservatory.
Mr. Kaplowitz said some of his constituents would like to see the bridge open, but despite that he did agree that the road is dangerous, and should be closed in support of the Town of Somers position. He parenthetically asked if there was a reason to create a pedestrian bridge. DEP representatives said there may be a tremendous liability, without an active railroad it does note connect to any other roadway.
Mrs. LaMotte asked if there were plans to review the entrance and exit ramps for 684, roadway alternatives or bridge replacement.
On behalf of the Department of Transportation, Mr. Rutkowski, said there is a need for a broader traffic solution and suggests the committee review the roadway for alternatives. Suggestions to introduce a new bridge tradeoff would have to go through the proper channeling, permits and variances must be completed, but he will have DEP review the matter.
Mr. Pinto said he would ask the County Attorney to develop a resolution requesting the New York State Department of Transportation to study alternative plans for Deans Bridge and to review the possibility of an entrance and exit ramp for 684. He said that this Committee may not be able to come to a conclusion and some of the issues regarding the bridge may not ever be solved, the Board is obligated to hear comments from the Community.
Mrs. LaMotte asked the Public Works Committee to develop a Resolution requesting the NYSDOT to study reconstruction of Deans Bridge as well as the construction of and exit and entrance ramp for 684. All were in favor of the resolution, motion carried 5-0.
With no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. |