Watkins Glen receives $7.2 million

WATKINS GLEN--Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Friday, April 6, $7.2 million in new infrastructure investments to improve State Route 14 from the village of Watkins Glen to the town of Reading. This additional investment will fund new paving and safety enhancements, building upon $10 million previously awarded to the village of Watkins Glen as part of the Governor's Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Work begins this week and will conclude the summer of 2019.
"Watkins Glen is on the move with targeted state investments to fuel economic growth and enhance tourism across the region," Cuomo said. "Tourism in New York is at an all-time high and with these investments in the Watkins Glen area, the Southern Tier will see more NASCAR fans, wine connoisseurs and people of all ages who want to see all the region has to offer."
Maintenance paving of 15.8 lane miles along State Route 14 from the town of Reading to the village of Watkins Glen will help restore a smooth riding surface for residents and visitors alike. The project will also install all new sidewalks throughout the village of Watkins Glen and new traffic signals with accessible, pedestrian push buttons.
To promote the village's auto racing history, pedestrian crosswalks will be painted in a checkered flag pattern and historical information signs will be placed along the original road course used for the first Watkins Glen Grand Prix race held in 1948. Project enhancements for this tourist destination will also include installation of planting beds, colored pavers, drinking fountains and pedestrian destination markers placed in the sidewalks.
This new infrastructure project will also create a gateway entrance to Watkins Glen on the northern end of the village, which will include raised islands in the median that will act as traffic "calming" features, slowing traffic as it enters the village, enhancing safety for bicyclists and pedestrians in the area. A new welcome sign for the village will also be created as part of the project.
Consistent with Cuomo's Drivers First initiative, the project has been planned to minimize impacts to traffic and the community. To prevent disruption to the community during peak summer tourist season, no work will be conducted in the downtown area from June 22 to Sept. 10. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained on State Route 14 throughout the majority of the project during the rest of construction season. At limited times, some work on the project will necessitate just one lane open to alternating traffic with flaggers. There will be no detours designated on village streets.
Village of Watkins Glen Mayor Sam Schimizzi said, "I thank Gov. Cuomo for his support of this project and the NYSDOT, who have been great to work with. This project ties in with our downtown revitalization initiative and is a win-win for Watkins Glen."