The Village Board heard what the community wants for the rail crossing at at Hudson and Main St. at the Public Hearing of Jan 12, 2011.
From the majority attending the meeting came a clear call for the least invasive approach that addresses the safety issue while maintaining traffic flow in the Village. The entry to Main Street, with the clocktower as a beacon, needs to be preserved. It is part of the charm, and draw, of the Village.
Currently, I am writing to DOT to express our concerns and extend our willingness to work with them. I am also writing Senator Steve Saland and Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin to make sure they are aware of the issues and ask them to advocate for the Village if need be.
This crossing has had safety issues ever since it existed, and made worse in the recent makeover. Witness the fenced off turn lane from Railroad Avenue to Main Street. DOT has known about this intersection being a problem for a long time. DOT’s planned reworking of this crossing is mentioned in a June 30, 2011 Times Union ‘Advocate’ article saying this project is on DOT’s website.
Yes, this intersection has issues, and a one million dollar signal system will address the safety, but create other problems. A simpler solution is being requested by the community. The people who live here and drive this intersection every day have some good ideas.
Results from the Jan 12 Public Hearing:
- The Village Board will advocate for the safest, least invasive solution, with minimum construction impact. The historic value of the Village must be taken into consideration.
- The business community is justifiably concerned about the effects of construction in a floundering economy.
- The majority would like to take the simplest solution possible that addresses the safety concerns of both DOT and CSX railroad.
- A preliminary approach may include traffic control signage and blinking red lights to improve right of way over the crossing. Try this for a period of time, and see if the safety issues are adequately addressed.
- A traffic and safety study from DOT must be undertaken to justify spending $1,000,000 taxpayer money.
- Improve line-of-sight for traffic entering the intersection from the Railroad Ave stop sign.
- Consider an alternate truck route, utilizing Railroad Ave to shunt truck traffic to Rte 66 north via Austerlitz St crossing. This would alleviate truck traffic on Main Street.
Click on link to view an amended view: Option 4, amended
