Construction has begun on a $5.2 million paving project in northern Monroe and Orleans counties, the state Department of Transportation said this week.
The project will rehabilitate nearly 30 lane miles of the Lake Ontario State Parkway between Route 19 in Hamlin and Route 237 in Kendall. The project is expected to significantly improve the existing pavement conditions through a multi-course resurfacing in both eastbound and westbound lanes.
Work on the project is beginning nearly a month earlier than anticipated and will minimize the impact on tourism drawn by nearby Hamlin Beach State Park.
“This significant rehabilitation work along Lake Ontario will enhance safety and make it easier for the traveling public to utilize this asset in the summer months and beyond,” said DOT acting commissioner Paul Karas in a statement.
The Parkway will remain open to traffic throughout the construction, with at least one lane of traffic maintained in each direction. Short-term ramp closures will take place during paving of the on and off-ramps at the Route 237, Route 272 and Hamlin Beach interchanges. The ramps will be kept open on weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
The eastbound ramp at Hamlin Beach State Park will close in early May for roughly a week for concrete repairs to the bridge deck over Yanty Creek.
“I am very pleased to be seeing some progress on this long-standing issue,” Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said. “My hope is that this is just the beginning of a larger effort to restore the Lake Ontario State Parkway to a condition fitting the beautiful, scenic drive along Lake Ontario.”
Work will consist of overlaying the existing deteriorating concrete pavement, the installation of new wrong-way signs, upgraded pavement markings and striping, as well as narrowing the existing shoulder of the Parkway from 12 feet to eight feet in width.
“This scenic byway is crucial to local tourism, travel and recreation as a main artery through Western New York that hosts numerous campers, travelers and fisherman,” said Rep. Stephen Hawley, R-Batavia. “I am proud to be a part of this project’s success, and I look forward to smoother and safer travel in the near future.”
During the paving project, detours will be posted for all ramp closures at Hamlin Beach Park. Work will continue through the end of summer, with a targeted completion date of early fall, officials said.
“I’m excited to see improvements being made to Lake Ontario State Parkway, especially along this stretch,” Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said. “The Parkway improves accessibility in northwestern Monroe County and enhances our efforts to attract and retain jobs here in our community.”
[email protected] / 585-653-4021
Follow Velvet Spicer on Twitter: @Velvet_Spicer
Sign In
Free Newsletter
