7/22/14: Mid-Summer Road Report Spotlights Busy Construction Season

Modified: January 23, 2015 4:01pm

Latest News

Date: 
7/22/14

Nearly 3,000 tons of patch placed since June 1; Extensive Mill & Overlay, Micropaving, Oil & Chip Operations Underway

ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Department of Public Works’ Highway Division reports that nearly 3,000 tons of patch has been placed on Erie County roads since June 1, a number that is expected to more than double in the coming months as work continues and is accompanied by oil & chip projects slated for roads across the County. In addition, mill & overlay work is currently underway on Hopkins Road in Amherst, Lake Avenue in Hamburg, and Cayuga Creek and Rowley Roads in Cheektowaga. Mill & overlay work will also begin today -more than a week ahead of schedule- on Sowles and Bayview Roads in Hamburg, Eden-Evans Center Road, and Eckhardt Road in Hamburg.  All of these projects are part of the more than $29.5 million in road work being conducted in Erie County in 2014.

“The summer construction season has been a busy one for highway crews and it shows no signs of slowing down, as more road projects are getting underway and getting completed in 20 communities across the county.  This year, over 60 individual projects are accompanied by a far-reaching patching, micropaving, and oil & chip program with results that residents and motorists will appreciate,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “My administration has invested over $60 million in the past two years in our road infrastructure, and I commend our crews for their diligence in completing the work, as well as the public for their patience as the repairs are carried out. I would also like to remind motorists to slow down in work zones to keep both themselves and road crews safe.”

Mill & overlay work currently underway includes Hopkins Road from Dodge to Plaza Drive, Cayuga Creek Road from William to Harlem Road, Rowley Road from Indian to Borden, and Lake Avenue from McKinley Parkway to South Park. The work beginning today will include Sowles Road from Camp to McKinley; Bayview from McKinley to Abbott Road; Pleasant from Amsdell to Rte. 75; Eden Evans Center (Phase IV) from I-90 to Derby Road; and Eckhardt from Rte. 75 to East Eden Road.

All highway districts will also be conducting oil & chip repairs as weather permits and as part of a $2 million outlay to improve approximately 81 miles of county roads. The Hamburg District is scheduled to begin the oil & chip program on July 28 with roads including North Boston, Old Lakeshore, Amsdell, Abbott, Bagdad, Brant Reservation, Chestnut Ridge, Church, Delameter/Mill, Delameter, Old Bagdad, Rice,

West Tillen, and others. The Clarence District begins oil & chip on August 11 and includes County, Greiner, Harris Hill, Bowen, Carney, Cedar, Koepsell, Meahl, Peter’s Corners, Scotland, Steiner, and Tonawanda Creek Roads. Work is also slated to begin on August 11 in the East Concord District, which will repair Zoar Valley, Crump, Warner Gulf, Pratham, Moore, Sharp, Middle, Snyder, and several other roads in the District. Currently, roads are scheduled for oil & chip repairs in the Aurora District beginning on August 18 and include Blakely Corners, Jamison, Bowen, Mill, Behm, Gartman, Knox, West Falls, and Willardshire. In the Harlem District, work will focus on the reconstruction of Brighton Road, which is expected to begin in mid-August, as well as other work on Eggert Road and intersection repairs at Evans and Hopkins.

Poloncarz added, “Erie County has over 2,400 miles of roads in our inventory, and some of the roads we’ve heard the most concern about, including some very heavily-traveled routes, are getting attention this summer as we work to improve our infrastructure countywide. My administration takes the responsibility of infrastructure maintenance very seriously and will continue to invest in our roads and bridges to provide residents with the roadways they deserve.”

County highway crews will also be conducting approximately $1.4 million in micro paving operations after oil and chipping has been completed. Roads targeted for micro paving include Center Street in the Town of Aurora, East River and Whitehaven Road in Grand Island, Boston State Road in the Town of Boston, and Seneca Creek Road in the Town of West Seneca.

Finally, county crews will continue to conduct extensive patching and strip patching work on dozens of roads all across the county. This will be done on an “as needed” basis determined by the local district engineers.