Park and Ride event slated for Tuesday – The Chronicle Express – Penn Yan Chronicle-Express (blog)

By Brian Quinn

BELVIDERE Shovels will be going into the ground Tuesday to get the Park-and-Ride facility at the Crossroads Center underway, Allegany County officials said Friday.

The groundbreaking will be at 1 p.m. at the Crossroads Center, 6087 State Route 19.

With a grant through the Federal Transit Administration, improvements will include reconstruction of the existing driveway and parking lot, a new driveway to allow improved traffic flow and the addition of about 60 parking spaces. The work will also include new, dark-sky-compliant, outdoor LED lighting, enhanced landscaping, stormwater management practices and a new bus-stop area.

Thanks to the dedication and leadership of an active steering committee, state agencies and our consultant, we were able to secure funding through a grant from the Federal Transit Administration for a parking facility and to receive long-term safety and significant infrastructure improvements, said Ardent Solutions Mobility Management Planner Larry Kaminski. As another example of economic development initiatives within Allegany County, this project not only serves to improve and enhance existing infrastructure, but will also be an asset and catalyst to encourage future community development activities and ultimately facilitate long-term economic growth.

The county Public Works Committee on Aug. 2 approved awarding a bid for the Park-and Ride project to Nova State Company, which submitted the low bid of $621,606.

At the committee meeting, committee member Judy Hopkins asked whether the project is on target for completion by the end of October.

They (Nova representatives) believe that we have established an aggressive schedule, but they believe its doable. Thats what theyre telling us, Superintendent of Public Works Guy James replied. I think we can extend it a little bit. We dont want to go too far behind.

The blacktop plants are really the critical thing. Once they close, the availability of material, thats the problem, he said. You can put topsoil down later on after the blacktop plants close if you want to, but thats the real critical element that needs to be done.

In response to a question, James said blacktop plants usually close around Thanksgiving, so the project should be OK time-wise.

James noted the Park and Ride project has already been approved and that Public Works Committee approval is all the bid needs. He said this will enable the project to move ahead.

Were looking forward to getting that project going and getting dirt turned black up there, James said.

Kaminski said, All that I can add is its under our budgeted amount that we had anticipated.

Committee member Karl Graves asked if the Department of Public Works was familiar with Nova State Company.

They actually worked for us before. They did a small project, James said. It was the retaining wall on the exit ramp going out from the back parking lot. They did the gutter system, the curb, the gutter and the retaining wall and then the black fencing thats along there. They did a good job. Theyve done a lot of municipal work, so theyre familiar with the procedures that have to be done.

Hopkins asked if the project being under budget means there will be leftover money in the grant.

This isnt the only component of that budget. This is just the construction portion of it, James said. There was the design that we already paid for and then we have construction inspection the people who are doing the inspection of the work thats going to be done. All in all, its going to be very close.

Ill tell you better in a little bit whether theres going to be a surplus, he said.

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Park and Ride event slated for Tuesday - The Chronicle Express - Penn Yan Chronicle-Express (blog)