Eric Smith, owner of Glenside Sales & Service Inc., said he has already been affected by the upcoming Route 31 road work. Smith has been a longtime business operator in the village of Holley since the late 1970s, he said. "In one form or another, I have operated businesses on this corner for close to 30 years ... I have a big investment in Holley and this project will definitely infringe on my business operation." The NYSDOT announced it will undertake a $6 million project to reconstruct a portion of Rt. 31 in the village of Holley. "The DOT is making investments to improve rural state highways," state Transportation Commissioner Joseph H. Boardman said. "We are firmly committed to undertaking projects that will not only improve safety and mobility, but will also help enhance the regional environment and encourage walking and biking." In addition to the new asphalt concrete pavement, environmental and quality-of-life project components include a new storm drainage system, granite curbing, concrete sidewalks, an off-street parking lot, decorative street lighting, benches, trash receptacles, street tree plantings, space within the pavement width for bicycles and improved safety for vehicles and pedestrians. "I am excited that Holley's Main Street will be rebuilt to modern standards and thankful for Governor Pataki's continuing support of our rural western New York communities," Assemblyman Charles Nesbitt said in a press release. The construction project, Smith said, has been a "major hiccup" in his business. "We're certainly not the only ones being affected," he said, alluding to the neighboring K &K Market across the street. "At least here, people drop off their cars and come back later when the work is done." Smith said that while he received a "fair" offer for the two buildings that will be demolished for the construction, his business will definitely be hindered by the project. Highway work on Route 31 will extend east of the Bennetts Corners Road intersection to just east of the railroad bridge at the village's western limit. The existing pavement will be removed and fully reconstructed with asphalt concrete. The roadway itself will remain a two-lane highway. The travel lanes will be slightly widened to facilitate bicyclists. The existing s-curve on State Street will be broadened to improve safety. Traffic patterns through the Village Public Square will be changed. The road alignment will be shifted a few feet away from the Community Free Library, improving sight distance at the corner. The new storm drainage system will work together with the storm sewer project recently installed by the Village of Holley. A cultural resource survey, performed by the state Education Department revealed that the Public Square area is eligible to be listed as a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. The original layout of the Erie Canal was instrumental in the development of the village. Trade, commerce and transportation had a strong influence on the founding of the community. One benefit of this highway project is to help revitalize Holley from a socio-economic standpoint, according to the DOT. This section of highway has not been reconstructed since 1914. The road was originally paved in brick, and over the years been overlaid with asphalt. The original bricks show great durability, the DOT reports, and some will be salvaged and reused to accent sidewalks in the Public Square area. In keeping with the historic nature of the village's Public Square, period style street lighting, evident in early photos, will be installed. The village will operate and maintain the lighting. At one time, the construction project was intended to remove both curves in the village, but with the historic status granted to the library, that area of the village will remain intact ... with the curve in place. Smith is in the process of hiring a contractor to begin construction on his new facilities and said he will remain open during the course of the road rehabilitation project. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2003 and be complete in fall 2004. A community meeting is being planned to answer any questions about the construction work. Utility work will begin first. Daily lane closures will be used to stage construction. One half of the roadway will be under construction while alternating one-way traffic is maintained using flag persons. Traffic will be driving for periods of time on gravel course until the curbing and asphalt pavement is constructed. Keeler Construction in Albion was awarded the construction contract. |
