Alternative Detours
This graphic should be self-explanatory with the "legend". It illustrates the two detours NYSDOT considered before chosing the Kuhl Road Detour. If you have any questions leave a comment, and I'll answer if I can. Click on the headline "Alternative Detours" for an enlarged view.Use the toggle button at the bottom right hand side of the graphic to enlarge.
posted by sallyann | 3:48 PM
9 Comments:
Sally- Looks like you have been doing some digging. I dont remember having seen this before.It looks like there were other detour options must be $$$$$$$$ determened the Kuhl road choice by the D.O.T.
Marc: The Kuhl Road Detour will cost the most to build.From what we understand the cheapest detour would be the one that parallels Rt. 15 by the "connector". Three residents on Kuhl Road, Larry and I included, were willing to GIVE the state the land from our property to build what we've been calling the "loop"(the red detour). We thought this was the most commonsense detour/local access road because it did not adversely impact the residents on Kuhl Road. And you can clearly see that it wouldn't. NYSDOT rejected the red loop for these reasons:
NYSDOT said, "We have evaluated the sketch (the red detour); unfortunately, the geometry and the traffic movements contained in this proposal violate most of the basic design standards for intersection design. In a nutshell, the angle or skew that the local road connector/detour intersects Rte.15 needs to be more perpendicular and further away from adjacent intersections (i.e. Rte.15/Watson Creek Rd). In addition there is a local road network in place for this connector (Kuhl and Watson Creek Rd); therefore, the cost to build a temporary road would be unjustified in terms of cost to taxpayers."
NYSDOT rejected the "button hook" (blue line on graphic)when an independent consulting firm reviewed the Route 15 project. The firm said, "They recommended this change even though it adds cost to the project because it (the Kuhl Road Detour) is safer than the "button hook" design shown in the FEIS.
Well, not being an engineer and making top state salaries as they do, maybe Im wrong for thinking the red line detour makes the most sense to me. It looks shorter, much more simple and cost effective. However it states it was turned down apparently due to closeness of adjacent intersections? Im confused! Atleast it doesnt show any 90 degree angles semi's will have to attempt to negotiate or disrupt life for everyone nearly as much as the Kuhl road detour will. Looks very similiar to what they just completed in Erwin. No biggie...traffic still moved though easily and smoothly. My opinion is this is going to be huge mistake on the part of the state. Sometimes sqeezing a nickle till the buffalo craps isnt worth it! I understand that with any new construction there will be inconveniences and all that goes along with it, but in this case, if I thought the Kuhl road detour was the best way to do a detour Id say "Im sorry" to the residents on Kuhl road, and remind them their frustrations and major inconvenience for a short time will benefit all in the long run. But I dont think this is best...therefore I think people better pull together and try to open the eyes of our politicians to the fact this detour route is NOT the best thing for everyone!
I agree this Kuhl road detour is not the safest route. What we need is some figures floating around for the townspeople, the cost of retopping and putting in a bridge on Kuhl road compared with the "red detour" that looks much shorter (less blacktop) and no new bridge. Also, we need to look at the hazards created by the tractor trailers hauling thru this area with two 90 degree turns. How would a chemical spill affect the river and Corning area as well. Not to mention the hazards of late night driving those same turns with fog coming in off the river. We all know truck drivers will be taking the majority of the road to make those turns, they will need to especially if a tandem truck. It sure seems to me a slip in the road as proposed by the red detour would be less expensive, less impact on this entire area, and safer by far for all who traverse it.
Seems to me after seeing the maps the red route would be the best.I also wonder if the speed limit on any detour will be 45 mph.and will there be a police car in the area?
the kuhl road was more or less abandoned when they built the present rt.15. how come it is so efficient and attractive now? would it be because it would interfere with the bar business located near the intersection of watson creek and rt.15? too bad.
Teresa: A bridge would need to be built across Watson Creek for the "red detour" as well. NYSDOT rejected the red detour also, because they said they would need to build a "road bed" and they did not want to do that. That's one of the reason they wanted to use the Kuhl Road because it had an "existing road bed". Also, they rejected the red detour because they had safety concerns for their construction workers while they connected the four-lane to the two-lane. Regarding the fact they would have to build a road bed for the red detour, we suggested, (didn't get very far) they use the excess millions of cube feet of dirt they're having to remove to get thru/around the "mountain" at the New York State border. I think they said they've already "extended" the rest area base by 90 feet to use up the extra dirt they remove from the "mountain".
NYS has known for sometime now where Pa is connecting. Why doesn't NYS get on the stick and start building their end instead of putting it on hold as they have since the 4 lane ended in Presho when they blamed Pa for not being ready to do their end. How many more years do we have to wait???? They could have had a good start with no detour needed if they hadn't been sitting on their hands.
If anyone has a copy of the February 2001 Lindleytown Newsletter published by Sally Orr,you should reread her discription of a toxic -hazardous waste chemical spill on Feb.28th that occurred on Route 15 and Monty Meyer's driveway. This is Sally's neighbor and after reading it, you can see why with the proposed turns of the detour,they have cause to be concerned.
Maybe one of the fireman who responded that night can give you more details,too.
Who knows what all these trucks that whiz by us on Lindley's Route 15 have on board.
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