Friday, August 31, 2001
State delays closing Taconic crossing
By Michael Valkys
Poughkeepsie Journal
HOPEWELL JUNCTION -- The Hosner Mountain Road median crossing on the
Taconic State Parkway -- once slated to be closed by today -- will remain
open for at least two more weeks, state officials said Thursday.
State Department of Transportation spokeswoman Col-leen McKenna said
the delay comes as officials try to develop a plan that would not cut off
residents on the eastern side of Hosner Mountain from local stores and
services.
''We need to come up with a viable solution,'' McKenna said, adding
no decision has been made. ''It shouldn't be that much longer, but we're
not going to do something that we're not comfortable with.''
Officials had hoped six median crossings on the parkway would have been
closed before school started next week. Five have already been shut.
Hosner Mountain is the last of six at-grade intersections being closed
by state officials in response to safety concerns. The temporary median
closures prevent drivers from crossing the parkway and from making left
turns onto or from the Taconic.
The closures come as the DOT continues to work on a long-term plan,
expected by the fall, to improve safety on the highway. The closures have
been met markedly different reactions from residents. Proponents say they
are needed to improve safety along the parkway, which has seen large increases
in traffic in recent years.
Opponents say the closures are an inconvenience and they only shift
traffic hazards to local roads.
Longer trip home
Nancy Minard, who lives on Hosner Mountain Road, said closure of the
road will add time to her trip to work and generally make it difficult
to get around town.
''It's going to make it very hard to get home,'' she said.
The plan to close the medians followed a fatal accident at Carpenter
Road in East Fishkill in late May.
Town of East Fishkill officials have voiced their unhappiness over some
of the closures, hinting at potential legal action.
''We're waiting to see what happens when school gets back in session,''
East Fishkill Supervisor Peter Idema said. ''Hosner is one of the ones
we're extremely concerned about. That's one of the ones with the greatest
degree of impact.''
School bus routes will also be affected by the closings. Students return
to most local schools next Wednesday and Thursday.
Along with last week's closing at Carpenter Road, the state has also
shut median crossings at Bogardus Lane and Stormville, Todd Hill and Arthursburg
roads.
The 104-mile Taconic runs from Westchester County to south of Albany.
In all, 10 people have died since 1994 at ''at-grade'' crossings along
the Dutchess County stretch of the parkway. |