Road construction and maintenance is one of the largest local dollar expenditures in county government. Between the fluctuating weather and the dramatic changes in temperature, Onondaga County’s roads are in need of regular maintenance and repairs. On average, the Highway Work Plan for Onondaga County’s roads and bridges is $25 million, including state and federal funding.
Each year the commissioner of transportation presents a work plan to the legislature which acts as a guideline to ensure we are keeping up with all 800 miles of highway throughout the county. I wanted to highlight some of the projects that have taken place in and around our district.
The intersection at Electronics Parkway and Old Liverpool Road underwent a substantial renovation. The right-hand lane was reconfigured from a yield lane to a four-way traffic signal, greatly improving the safety of this intersection. Old Liverpool Road was also paved between Electronics Parkway and Buckley Road. These roadways experience a great amount of daily travel and it is essential that they are paved every few years.
On John Glenn Boulevard, 4.6 miles of the westbound lanes, another heavily travelled county roadway, will be resurfaced this season. Additionally, the bridge deck, joints, piers, bearings, back walls, stems and pedestals on the structure that goes over the Onondaga Lake Outlet will be rehabilitated or replaced. This will require some lane closures, but will not completely close the bridge.
Allen Road has been the focus of major improvements over the past several years. In 2014, we improved the intersection of Allen Road at Bear Road, which included signal upgrades. The cost of that project was $250,000. In 2016, we reconstructed the Buckley Road Bridge between Henry Clay Boulevard and Morgan Road over the CSX railroad. The total cost for that project was $1.1 million. The $3.5 million federal aid project to improve Allen Road between Taft Road and Bear Road is anticipated to begin in 2018.
A separate federal aid project to improve Taft Road is anticipated to begin in either 2018 or 2019. Final phases of these projects include sidewalks, curbing, drainage and traffic signal improvements at the intersection of West Taft Road and Bear Road. More than a mile of Allen Road will be milled and resurfaced with hot mix asphalt in the next construction season.
While road improvements are not innovative, they are critically important to the economic growth of our community and to keeping and attracting businesses. Some would even say that they are critically important to the health and safety of our community and one of, if not the, most important responsibilities of government. After all, where would be without good, safe roads and bridges? This is why I have and will continue to support needed investment in our roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.
Casey Jordan represents the 14th district, which includes the eastern portion of the town of Clay and the village of North Syracuse. Casey welcomes constituent feedback and can be contacted at (315) 699-7246 or by email at [email protected].
