First published in print: Wednesday, April 8, 2009
SCHENECTADY — It's unknown if the city will go through with controversial plans to build a roundabout at South Ferry Street and Erie Boulevard, a traffic circle that is part of the proposed $14 million Erie Boulevard reconstruction. But the city is already planning a second roundabout.
City officials have received a commitment of federal funds for a roundabout at Jay Street, Front Street, Nott Street and Erie Boulevard. The $2.6 million project would be partially funded through an air quality program that seeks to limit exhaust coughed from automobiles when they stop at traffic lights.
Schenectady city engineer Bernie Sisson said the project is only a suggestion. He said it was necessary to at least propose the project in order to take advantage of federal transportation money that was available. The Nott Street roundabout would still have to be vetted in the public and approved by City Council. If it gets the green light, design on the roundabout wouldn't start until 2011.
As for the South Ferry Street roundabout, it's unknown if it will make it into final plans for Erie Boulevard, a project that includes narrowing and beautifying the boulevard between I-890 and Union Street. A group of Erie Boulevard business owners have vehemently opposed the project, particularly because of the roundabout. That opposition has delayed construction, which was supposed to start this year. But Schenectady Mayor Brian Stratton recently said the final designs for Erie Boulevard will be released soon.
Why don't they use the money to fix the water mains, sewers, sidewalks, run the power underground, and repave the streets they already have that look like the second battle of Stalingrad was fought on them, instead of blowing on these elaborate schemes? nahhhhh....too much common sense and then that wouldn't bankrupt the taxpayers and private sector fast enough. Money wasting SOBS.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
Received all of these federal "stimulus" funds. Have to waste spend it on something. In typical government form, it will be frittered away on projects that have little to no return on investment and that don't benefit the general public.
Exactly! People can't pay their ever rising taxes. The school is in shambles. The SPD is out of control. Crime is rampant. The plex is a failure. There are no jobs. And yet.......they put monies aside for a roundabout!!! Where do these people come from? Oh ya, that's right... the voting sheople!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
More half baked ideas from your half baked City "leaders". Nott St roundabout? How about opening the closed underpass on Maxon Rd? Your City Kratz at "work". No matter how much they got --it ain't enough.
Repave the Burma roads in the City. Totally repave not throw more cold patch on cold patch. They still have not killed the Erie roundabout? Let dozens of remaining businesses flee Erie so it resembles the neutron bomb site of lower State. The tin ear of this Mayor rates up with Gov Spitzer. Give him a call-he won't answer.
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More half baked ideas from your half baked City "leaders". Nott St roundabout? How about opening the closed underpass on Maxon Rd? Your City Kratz at "work". No matter how much they got --it ain't enough.
