Sidewalks planned on Route 30 stretch
By KAYLEIGH KARUTIS, The Leader-HeraldMAYFIELD - The state Department of Transportation will move forward with the installation of sidewalks on Route 30 despite opposition from Fulton County and the town.
The DOT is scheduled to begin construction of a roundabout at Routes 29 and 30 in spring 2010. Work should conclude by the end of that summer, said Steve Zwyiak, Region 2 design engineer for the DOT.
The project will cost more than $5 million.
During the roundabout project, the DOT will install sidewalks along about a half-mile of Route 30.
County and Mayfield town officials expressed discontent over the plan, saying there are not enough pedestrians to warrant sidewalks.
Mayfield Supervisor Herb McLain said the town will be required to maintain the sidewalks, which will be an added expense.
"I disagree, but it's up to them," he said. "I don't think they care [what I think]."
McLain said the DOT cited a state law that allows the DOT to turn ownership of sidewalks over to the municipality the sidewalks are in.
"It might take me the rest of my life, but I'm going to try and get that law changed," he said.
"The town is responsible for snow removal. I don't think I can jackhammer them," he said jokingly.
Zwyiak said the DOT conducted a study of the area and determined there would be enough pedestrians at the intersection to warrant the sidewalks.
He said installing sidewalks is part of a larger trend of installing sidewalks at many new road construction projects across the state.
"With energy costs, I think more and more people are utilizing sidewalks," he said. "In general, we're trying to make it more of a quality community."
Kayleigh Karutis covers rural Fulton County. She can be reached at ruralnews@leaderherald.com.
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orville
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07-11-08 10:43 PM
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YEA, A SIDEWALK TO NOWHERE. IF YOU PAY ATTENTION TO THE LIGHT AT 29&30 THERE IS NO PROBLEM GETTING ACROSS. WE DON'T NEED A ROUNDABOUT, JUST TURNING LANES TO KEEP TRAFFIC MOVEING.
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SNOWGRINCH
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07-11-08 8:10 PM
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I think a roundabout is a great idea for RT 30 & 29, but the sidewalk project does seem a bit much.
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OldJoe
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07-11-08 8:05 PM
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If traffic circles are so safe, how come there isn’t one at the end of every taxpayer’s driveway? Come to think of it, let’s mandate sidewalks for every residence too. You all should be glad that OSHA hasn’t got much presence in upstate New York YET…
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reader
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07-11-08 4:56 PM
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Stupidity, from the totally dysfunctional NY State government!
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NewGloveRes
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07-11-08 2:56 PM
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The problem I have with this is that they are going to do it during the summer when we have the most traffic. They could do part of it in the fall and the rest in the spring if they chose too. Now they are going to hurt the residents and businesses during the busiest time of the year.
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FREEDOM
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07-11-08 2:55 PM
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Fungazi why are you exercising on or near a highway?We read about people like you all the time man struck by car while jogging on the highway. DUH.
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crotoban
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07-11-08 2:46 PM
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a good way to waste 5 million dollars. Why not give everyone in the town 100 bucks? total joke
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fUNGAZI
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07-11-08 2:16 PM
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You people are clueless. I guarantee that you never exercise at all. I always cross that same intersection and have almost been hit from behind by a driver who wasn't paying attention. The mentality you have is, well i wouldn't use it so what's the point. Your just not happy unless your complaining.
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SnowQueen
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07-11-08 2:03 PM
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I am a concerned citizen that lives in this area. I along with many other residents welcome the sidewalks . they will be much safer than walking on the existing side of the roads now . We are not even able to get in or out of our own driveways now. One really shouldn't comment unless you live there for 25 years or more.
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zeus77
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07-11-08 1:48 PM
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Hey Herb after they waste the tax payers money with side walks that few if any will use, and they turn the sidewalks over to your town let' you and I have a JACKHAMMER PARTY and show those dimwits how clean the side walks are.
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FREEDOM
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07-11-08 12:54 PM
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Lets keep on urinating our money away on unneccesary nonscence.
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