Repairs Of Route 2 And Other Roads Crucial for Eastern Rensselaer County

Rensselaer County Legislature Vice Chairman Stan Brownell and Legislator Lester Goodermote said today that repairs of State Route 2 in Grafton and other areas is crucial to eastern Rensselaer County.
Sections of Route 2 were washed away or broken up by the weekend storm and the loss of the road creates a major obstacle for residents and small businesses in the area. Approximately 1,500 feet of the road surface was damaged and needs complete replacement.
“Repairing Route 2 needs to be a top priority because of the importance of the road to local residents and small businesses. Not having Route 2 in operation means a crucial connection to eastern Rensselaer County is interrupted,” said Goodermote.
Brownell and Goodermote said they were also concerned about the damage to smaller County and town roads and culverts that also sustained heavy damage in the storm.
The cost for repairing the smaller roads exceeds the budgets of the small municipalities in eastern Rensselaer County. Both Brownell and Goodermote said outside assistance will be crucial in repairing Route 2 and many other roads in the area.
“Many of these roads and culverts will need repairs that exceed the total highway budget for a municipality for one year. There needs to be a cooperative effort in helping these small towns deal with these problems,” said Brownell.
Brownell and Goodermote said their office has been in contact with federal officials to seek assistance in repairing the roads and culverts damaged in the area.
Small Businesses Hurt
Members of the Rensselaer County Legislature said they will be contacting federal officials to discuss possible assistance for the many small businesses across the County damaged by Hurricane Irene.
Legislators said they have toured a number of small businesses either damaged in the storm or forced to incur great expense to save their business from flooding or related damaged.
Problems faced by businesses include damage to buildings and equipment, costs for clean-up, costs for diverting or removing water or debris and loss of revenue and inventory due to shutdowns and loss of power. Many of the costs faced by the small businesses may not be covered by insurance.
“Without help or disaster relief, some of these businesses may be forced to close in the coming weeks or months, costing the region some badly needed jobs,” added Brownell.
Legislators said they are hopeful of working with state or federal disaster relief agencies and offices.
Road Closures As Of 10 Am Wednesday  
Plank Road between 56 Road and the Village of Berlin
State Route 2 from SR 351 To Bulson Road, Brunswick
State Route 2 from Palitsch to Rourke, Grafton
Toad Point Road between Route 2 and Coonbrook Road, Grafton
Dill Brook Road,  Petersburgh
State Route 67 at Pine Lake Way, Pittstown
Blue Factory Road from Route 2 to South Road,  Poestenkill
County Bridges Closed
Route 67    Eagle Bridge
Fox Hollow – off Babcock Lake Road