Montour roadwork, sidewalks progress
MONTOUR FALLS--Construction has begun on a multi-million dollar roadway improvement project in Montour Falls that state and local officials hope will not only make the village more attractive but safer for both motorists and pedestrians.
Montour Falls Mayor John King said he is hopeful the roughly $6 million project will push Montour Falls forward by making the area more attractive for both tourists and homebuyers.
"It will make the village more appealing, period," King said. "We also hope it will pick up some of the tourist activity in the area while at the same time making it safer. Anytime a municipality has a single project that addresses multiple issues that is a good thing."
Starting on Marina Drive and extending all the way to the Fire Academy, work has already begun on the curbs and sidewalks throughout Montour Falls. As it stands, large areas of grass near roadways have been ripped up and dotted with orange cones in preparation for the new sidewalks throughout the village.
With construction being handled by Sealand Contractors Corporation out of Rochester, King said the current plan is for the curbs and sidewalks, along with some light planting, to be completed this summer, while the resurfacing of the roads, installation of new lights, and final planting is scheduled to be finished next summer.
"They don't know (exactly) how much they will get done this year," King said of the contractors.
Municipalities throughout the region and state have previously reported construction work being slightly delayed or slowed due to staffing issues and new regulations created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the village has handled costs associated with new fire hydrants and is actively seeking grants to help pay for the $1 million worth of new lights the village wants installed, King said the $6 million is coming from the State Department of Transportation.
"(The road and curb work) is all DOT funded, which is part of the state's plan for expanding and improving infrastructure in upstate New York," King said.
With the improvements, King said he is hopeful the tax base of the village will be expanded in the process.
"We are improving parking and making the village look better to help, in the long run, make the village more money," King said.
Along with putting in new hydrants, King said the village was in the process of setting up the wastewater system in a way so new culverts or piping won't have to be installed by ripping up a new road.
"We want to do it now so we don't have to dig it up later," King added.
With the road project, along with the soon to open Wastewater Treatment Plant the village is co-financing with Watkins Glen, Montour Falls is in the process of setting up the village's infrastructure so that it can handle an expansion in terms of local population, tourist activities and local businesses.
"It is all very exciting," said King, who added that while he was supposed to retire in March but couldn't due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he is glad to be able to see the work to improve Montour Falls beginning. |
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