NYSDOT representatives answer questions from the public during an open house in regards to the Route 3 resurfacing project.
FULTON, NY – The New York State Department of Transportation held an open house for the public at Fulton City Hall Wednesday evening (Jan. 6) to bring forth an informal presentation of the proposed resurfacing project to take place on Route 3 this spring.
The project, planned to begin in the spring of this year, is expected to be completed by fall and will cover the length of Route 3 from Lakeview Avenue on the west side of Fulton to the east city line, near Oneida Street.
The open house was organized by the NYSDOT to give the public opportunity to see the overview of the project and ask questions or bring forth concerns to department representatives.
Present at the open house were Fulton city councilmen, county legislators, a representative for Assemblyman Will Barclay and numerous members of the public.
The open house presented preliminary drawings of the entire stretch of road as drawn with the anticipated changes, along with NYSDOT representatives available to answer any questions.
According to Gene Cilento with NYSDOT, the resurfacing project was originally scheduled to be completed in 2017.
However, due to abundant public input from various governing levels and members of the general public, the project had been moved up to this year.
“Besides Route 3 being a nightmare for drivers, it is really an eyesore for the city of Fulton. Anyone new coming in to the city from the north or the east is welcomed by this eyesore,” said County Legislator Frank Castiglia Jr.
Castiglia was one of the many governing officials that took action to bring the resurfacing project to Fulton sooner than originally planned.
According to Cilento with NYSDOT, the project is for the milling and resurfacing of the proposed stretch of road.
This means, “it will be grinding the top surface to remove the asphalt about an inch and a half deep, and then restoring it and making it smooth,” explained Cilento.
Cilento anticipates the project to be day time work, from sun up to sun down beginning in the spring and lasting through to the project’s completion in the fall.
The only area that will not be included in the project is the bridge region which was just recently redone as well.
“We will do our best to eliminate the pot holes. There will be minor curb and sidewalk resurfacing but driveways will remain available and minor interruptions to traffic are expected. We do not anticipate any major impacts,” Cilento added.
In sections of road with four lanes, one lane of traffic in each direction will remain open. In sections of road with two lanes, traffic will be controlled by flaggers.
Additionally, on street parking will only be restricted when work is being performed in or adjacent to parking lanes.
“These plans are all preliminary,” said Cilento. “They are subject to change.”
However, the design is scheduled to be completed by February and the project will go to bid for a contractor in early spring, according to Cilento.
The open house served as an effort to keep the public involved and encouraged participation, also giving time to take concerns into consideration and make any necessary changes.
During the open house, Legislator Castiglia pointed out another area of concern for some Fulton residents.
“I’ve been speaking with Terry Wilbur, with Assemblyman Barclay, tonight in regards to getting money to attempt to make another fix during the resurfacing project in the area from Seventh Street to Holly Drive, to alleviate the flooding that regularly happens there,” said Castiglia.
Ideally, he would like to see how quickly this plan can be set in motion to be completed at the same time work is being done on this area as part of the resurfacing project.
A few community members drew concerns with parking on the west side and NYSDOT representatives were highly responsive, taking note of all concerns and answering the questions of the public.
“The open house was a great idea,” said County Legislator James Karasek. “To have the opportunity to ask questions and get direct answers, to have everyone involved; the people, the press, the department. That’s what the people need and they’re getting direct answers.”
“The open house is good,” added Castiglia. “These representatives are answering these citizens’ questions. They’ve come through this year and we are happy about that. It took a lot of letters and different levels of governing to get this done but that’s what has to happen to get things done. We all need to work together with a common goal.”
Assemblyman Barclay held a similar point of view in his statement, “Tonight’s open house gives the public the opportunity to see what is in store for the upcoming rehabilitation project. This is an important project for the city of Fulton and I’m pleased the DOT listened so residents in Fulton and those who travel through the city can have passable roads sooner rather than later,” said Barclay.
Anyone with questions or concerns regarding the project is asked to contact the Route 3 Project Team at [email protected].
missing or outdated ad config
The surface of Rt 3 through Fulton reminds me of our National Parks. In front of Mt. Adna cemetery is The Grand Canyon. Further east by the professional building lie The Great Sand Dunes. On the west side, between 1st and 2nd street, are The Canyonlands. Back on the east side between 5th and 6th there’s a pavement break known as Death Valley. At the intersection of 481 and Oneida you can swim in a manhole cover known as Crater Lake and there are other spots that look like Meteor Crater. Fortunately, they removed the wooden RR track crossing by the fire station, aka, Petrified Forest but it’s still like driving over Rocky Mountain. Anyway, on a trip either eastbound or westbound you will encounter The Badlands.
Kudos to our elected officials for working to expedite this project that will improve traveling safety of both citizens and visitors, and special kudos go to Legislator Frank Castiglia, Jr.. for initially taking the bull by the horns, reaching across the aisle to coordinate efforts, and pushing to make this necessary project a reality.
This is long over due!
A clarification as to when I give kudos or show public appreciation, since other comments may be forthcoming, so we are ALL on the same page:
The only time you will ever see me give credit to an elected official (Republican or Democrat) or public servant is if I personally witnessed them handling (or can confirm they handled) my concern or a community concern. My thanks doesn’t come cheap. In fact, now a days after being kicked in the mouth from both sides of the political spectrum multiple times, it is even more tough to earn my respect. So to the elected officials who may be reading this, you should take that fact to heart if you are included in my appreciation, either by name or via mass recognition. That’s how I roll. No BS, and a free thinking man.
Now let’s get EVERYONE working together and get some of these projects that will improve the city for ALL. The vision is there, now is the time to make it happen!
Mr. Stacy I have read your posts on fb and those of Mr. Myers. I so liked your posts giving Legislator Castiglia kudos. I know they were for his taking the ball and running with it and not stopping until the final goal was reached. Now to ans. Mr. Myers the only one I have seen saying that they did anything on their own was you. None of the letters that I have read by Legislator Castiglia make mention that he and he alone made this happen. Even the interview above he states how it took many different levels of Gov. to make this happen. I think you take it personal that your name alone wasn’t mentioned. It’s so sad. Thank you again Mr. Stacy. And am I thankful that Legislator Castiglia took on this challenge YES.
Let’s hope they do a better job with Rt 3 than they did with 481 through the city. They never raised the manhole covers to match the road on 481. Plus, 481 STILL floods by Nice N Easy.
Not Bad but it would be nice if you would tell people about these meetings before they happened
We Did: https://oswegocountytoday.com/nysdot-schedules-open-house-about-fulton-resurfacing-project/
Very nice point Mike….I hope you went to the meeting and brought up that point….John….it was advertised in all the papers..and on line here…Yes Steve you did put it in the news…thank you..