by Kieron Kramer
In late October County Legislators Stan Brownell and Lester Goodermote, who represent the towns of Stephentown, Berlin, Petersburgh, Grafton, Hoosick and the Village of Hoosick Falls, received letters from the New York State Department of Transportation in response to their concerns forwarded to the DOT in the form of resolutions by the County Legislature. The two concerns the Legislators put forward were the number of truck accidents that have occurred on the portion of NY Route 7 between the Bennington Battlefield Motel and the intersection of Route 7 and Route 22 in the Town of Hoosick and the hazardous condition of the road surface of Route 22 in south Berlin running through Stephentown to the Columbia County border.
[private]More Signs On Route 7
Regarding Route 7, Sam Zhou, P.E., Acting Regional Director, wrote, “In response to the Rensselaer County Legislature’s recent concerns, we have conducted a detailed investigation of New York State Route 7 between the Bennington Battlefield Motel and the intersection of Route 7 and Route 22 in the Town of Hoosick. This investigation included a review of the existing curves, warning signs and accident history. Our field investigation found the appropriate curve warning signs to be in place and the advisory speed panel to be correct.
Currently Route 7 through the Tibbetts Forest is regulated by the statewide 55 mph speed limit. Based on our review of this area and the fact that the accident rate is nearly half the expected rate for similar highways in New York State, we have determined that a lower posted regulatory speed limit is not justified. We understand that lower operating speeds are necessary for motorists to properly negotiate some of the curves; however, the most appropriate method to notify motorists of the need to reduce their speeds is the posting of curve warning signs with the appropriate advisory speed panels.
As a result of our investigation we have determined that the installation of additional warning signs within this corridor may assist motorists in traveling this section of Route 7. This will include arrow panels and chevrons for several curves where they are not currently provided. We have also noted that for eastbound vehicles the advisory speeds for the curves decrease from 45 mph to 35 mph as a motorist proceeds east and down the hill. To emphasize the need for reduced speeds for large vehicles to safely negotiate the last few curves, we will install tipping truck curve warning signs in advance of these curves.” Zhou said that this sign work would start approximately on November 4.
Asking The County To Prioritize
Regarding Route 22, Zhou wrote, “As you are undoubtedly aware, the situation you describe is not uncommon. We have many unmet needs along New York State’s vital transportation infrastructure. This is due to the current fiscal constraints on both a federal and state level. The New York State Department of Transportation strives to balance highway and bridge improvement priorities region-wide with available funding to achieve the greatest positive impact for the traveling public…Our top priority is keeping bridges and roads safe, with a focus on maintaining the good condition of our most highly traveled corridors.
Our challenge as a Region has been to balance the need to achieve the greatest return on every dollar invested versus maintaining the condition of our lower volume roads. This is especially true in the more rural areas of our Region such as eastern portions of Rensselaer…County and the Western portions of Albany and Warren County…the Regional paving program for the last few years reflects that increased effort especially for Rensselaer County.
In part, thanks to Governor Cuomo’s 2012 NYWORKs infrastructure program, Region One has awarded over $31 million in Rensselaer County pavement maintenance contracts over the last four years. We have also listed Routes 150, 20 and 22 on our pavement priority list for additional funding within the next few years. We do, however, need to consider the needs of all our Counties and Communities. As such, I would ask that the routes listed be prioritized by the County Legislature so we have a sense of how best to order the upcoming paving programs.”
In an interview after the Legislative meeting on November 12 Legislator Brownell said that he was confident that the majority, Republican, caucus would give Route 22 repairs the highest priority of the roads under consideration for improvement by the NYS DOT.[/private]