Repaving prep work starts next week

WATKINS GLEN -- The village of Watkins Glen will start to see the beginning of the $5 million repaving project at the end of March.
Christopher Giles, regional construction engineer for the New York State Department of Transportation, said during construction no roads will be closed off and re-directed to another for a detour. The crews plan to keep Route 14 open with at least one lane each way. Giles said when this is not possible, alternating traffic will be maintained using flag people. Parking will be maintained on at least one side of the street throughout the construction. Drivers should expect traffic delays and allow some extra time to reach their destination.
The dates for the road construction include the following:
March 26-April 2: The construction crews will start by preparing the area, clearing it of obstacles, and gathering the materials they need for the project. During this time, four trees (one large tree and three smaller ones) will be removed for the street project. Four new trees will also be planted after the construction work is completed.
April 2-June 22: On the east side of Route 14, the construction crews will start at Fairgrounds Lane and progress north, removing and replacing all sidewalks (except the sidewalk ramps at intersections with traffic signals) completing all underground electric conduit, placing concrete foundation for new street lights, and placing new decorative concrete paver blocks.
On the west side of Route 14, the construction crews will start at Captain Bill's and progress north to Reading Road, removing and replacing all sidewalks and placing a new gateway welcome sign. The crews will also mill and set new asphalt pavement and install new median islands in the pavement.
June 22-Sept. 9: all work will be shut down from Fairgrounds Lane to Reading Road and the construction crews will place new asphalt pavement from Reading Road to Gabriel's Junction.
Sept. 10-Oct. 31: the construction crews will remove and replace all sidewalk and sidewalk ramps on the west side of Route 14, place new sidewalk ramps on the east side of Route 14, complete all underground electric conduit, place new traffic signals, place concrete foundations for new street lights, and place new decorative concrete paver blocks.
Nov. 1-April 15, 2019: All work shutdown for the winter.
In 2019, from April 16-June 28: the construction crews will start at Fairgrounds Lane and work to Reading road, adjusting drainage structures to the new pavement elevation, milling and paving new asphalt pavement, and laying new pavement stripes and traffic signs.
June 29, 2019: The contract is set to be complete June 29. Giles said, "The schedule dates from the contractor are always contingent on weather and work production rates meeting their expected production rates. In other words, the schedule is tentative and subject to change.
Businesses will remain open during construction, and the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce already has conducted two business workshops to help businesses during the construction period. Some of the business suggestions included: consider using a back entrance for customer access, provide directions and access information for customers and vendors, keep a script with directions next to the phone, make creative promotions, and stay positive.
A web page, watkinsglenchamber.com/progressahead will be dedicated to the latest updates, information, tips, and promotions during the construction.