Frankfort-Schuyler Route 5 Construction Debate
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: September 18, 2012
Construction and road work - it's a necessary evil - but some Route 5
residents say they're having to deal with unnecessary construction.
Eyewitness News visited a construction site and spoke with unhappy
residents, businesses and the department of transportation to find out
what's really going on.
"You can't open the windows because it's so much dust, you can't hang clothes up because so much dust, but nobody said anything," says Scherley Seeman, Route 5 resident.
"It is a bit of an inconvenience, I just don't understand why they did it," says Geri Bouse, Route 5 resident.
Residents say construction workers patched up this road a few weeks ago, then came back and tore it up again. They say its an inconvenience and they want to know why.
"I don't understand why they patched the holes. It's all chopped up from here to Herkimer almost," says Seeman.
Some residents say the construction work is damaging their cars.
"We pulled out of our driveway over there and hit the lip that they left and blew the front tire out on the car so yeah, it's been tough," says Bouse.
And businesses along route 5 say it's not only an inconvenience - it's hurting their livelihood.
"As they milled the roads, we probably had about 5 customers all day that one day while they were here. They hold the traffic up quite along time. People stopped in and complained about it. It's taxpayer money wasted," says Roy Coffin, Route 5 business employee.
But New York State Department of Transportation says the Route 5 construction is part of the Governor's New York Works Program. They're repairing the 8-mile stretch of road between Frankfort and Schuyler and they hope to be done by the middle of next week.
But Utica Department of Public Works says residents can expect to see more delays. The city of Utica will be repairing its sanitary and storm sewer system facilities along State Route 5A, Oriskany Street, from Schuyler Street to Whitesboro Street.
"You can't open the windows because it's so much dust, you can't hang clothes up because so much dust, but nobody said anything," says Scherley Seeman, Route 5 resident.
"It is a bit of an inconvenience, I just don't understand why they did it," says Geri Bouse, Route 5 resident.
Residents say construction workers patched up this road a few weeks ago, then came back and tore it up again. They say its an inconvenience and they want to know why.
"I don't understand why they patched the holes. It's all chopped up from here to Herkimer almost," says Seeman.
Some residents say the construction work is damaging their cars.
"We pulled out of our driveway over there and hit the lip that they left and blew the front tire out on the car so yeah, it's been tough," says Bouse.
And businesses along route 5 say it's not only an inconvenience - it's hurting their livelihood.
"As they milled the roads, we probably had about 5 customers all day that one day while they were here. They hold the traffic up quite along time. People stopped in and complained about it. It's taxpayer money wasted," says Roy Coffin, Route 5 business employee.
But New York State Department of Transportation says the Route 5 construction is part of the Governor's New York Works Program. They're repairing the 8-mile stretch of road between Frankfort and Schuyler and they hope to be done by the middle of next week.
But Utica Department of Public Works says residents can expect to see more delays. The city of Utica will be repairing its sanitary and storm sewer system facilities along State Route 5A, Oriskany Street, from Schuyler Street to Whitesboro Street.
For
the next two weeks, city contractors will have overnight lane closures
in place Monday thru Thursday, beginning Monday, September 17th
- Monday, October 1st. The overnight closures will eliminate the need for the contractor to set up and take down the work zone each day.
"It doesn't help the cities image to leave the streets the way they are. So for the minor inconveniece that you'll have, you'll have a brand new street and you'll see where your tax dollars are going," says David Short, Utica Department of Public Works Commissioner.
Both Utica Department of Public Works and New York State Department of Transportation say construction work is done to help community members, not hurt them.
"It doesn't help the cities image to leave the streets the way they are. So for the minor inconveniece that you'll have, you'll have a brand new street and you'll see where your tax dollars are going," says David Short, Utica Department of Public Works Commissioner.
Both Utica Department of Public Works and New York State Department of Transportation say construction work is done to help community members, not hurt them.
Readers Feel...
hello
