Update on Empire State Trail/HVRT from NYS DOT
Received November 29 from the NYS Department of Transportation, Region 8
RE: Empire State Trail/ Hudson Valley Rail Trail Towns of New Paltz and Lloyd, Ulster County
The Department has made and continues to make every effort to complete the Hudson Valley Rail Trail currently under construction in the Towns of New Paltz and Lloyd. The current progress schedule indicates that the project will not be substantially complete this year, but we will continue to progress the project through the week of December 19, 2018 or until the weather conditions prevent any further work. Several issues have delayed the work and pushed the project into the winter months:
- Unanticipated utility conflicts.
- Persistent rainfall (25+ inches since the project started) has been a huge obstacle since the trail is being constructed adjacent to wetland areas.
- Early snowfall and colder than normal temperatures have slowed progress considerably for operations with temperature constraints.
Our current construction schedule indicates project completion by May 22, 2019. The work listed should be completed this year based on acceptable weather conditions:
Route 299/South Street:
- The traffic signal is fully activated.
- The ADA Ramps and sidewalk section may be completed, if temperatures do not allow concrete placement, we will place a thin layer of asphalt temporarily.
Route 299/Ohioville Road:
- We expect to have the new signal fully activated by installing temporary microwave detectors for the winter. The new traffic loops will be installed in the spring.
- Curb, sidewalk, and ADA ramps will be completed as soon as we have removed the existing traffic signal poles, weather permitting.
Route 299/Thruway:
- The traffic signal is fully activated
Route 299/Putt Corners Intersection:
- We expect to have the new signal fully activated fully including the traffic loops.
- The ADA ramps and sidewalk section are a high priority and will be completed as soon as we have removed the existing traffic signal poles, if temperatures do not allow concrete placement, we will place a thin layer of temporary asphalt.
Trail from South Street to Ohioville Road:
- Final grading of the trail in preparation for asphalt, excluding some small areas which are too wet for placement of gravel.
- Fill in the buffer zone between the roadway and the trail.
Trail from Ohioville Road to Putt Corners Road:
- Final grading of the subbase in preparation of asphalt.
- Complete topsoil buffer area between roadway and trail.
North Putt Corners Road:
- Paving of trail completed .
- Striping and symbols on Putt.
We hope to place the final striping this year. If weather conditions are not acceptable, we will place temporary striping and complete the final striping in the Spring. Trail closed signs will also be placed prior to our winter shutdown.
The work to be completed next year will be the remaining traffic signal loops, sidewalks, final trail paving, guiderail from South Street to Ohioville, bridge rail, final project turf establishment, signage for the trail, landscaping, Two solar powered Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, and approximately 300' of paving on Mulberry Street.