Last week Peter J. Christiano, Managing Engineer with Barton & Loguidice, gave an update to the Lloyd Town Board on their Pedestrian Improvements Project slated for the Hamlet. It is more commonly known as the Hamlet Street Scape project.

Supervisor Dave Plavchak said the engineering firm has been working on it for some time and has to finalize the design so it can go out for bid at the beginning of next year.

W. Design is handling the graphic design and wayfaring signage and Brooks & Brooks is doing the survey work, while Michael Zamierowski is acting as the project liaison with the NYS Department of Transportation for Region 8.

Christiano said they are still keeping the sidewalk on Elting Place that leads from the Middle School over to the Library, the planned intersection improvements at Vineyard Avenue and Main Street and a sidewalk along Vineyard between Church Street and Milton Avenue. He said there will also be some sidewalk tie-ins along Milton Avenue.

In his presentation, Christiano pointed out that the project will implement recommendations from the Highland Hamlet Development analysis that will improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians and motorists and contribute to the economic revitalization of the hamlet. He said all sidewalks and crosswalks will meet the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act [ADA] and improvements to the signage will enhance links between the Hamlet and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail.

The total cost of the project is $841,000, with the town’s 20% share at $168,200 and the Federal/State 80% share at $672,800. The federal number is capped and any additional costs will be borne by the town.

Christiano provided the following estimates: $586,000 for construction; $71,000 for construction administration and $182,838 for B&L’s preliminary and detailed design along with a ground survey, a right-of-way boundary survey and way-finding signage.

The initial meeting with B&L was in October 2020, followed by last week’s update. The design will be finished in the next few weeks and Christiano is hoping for Department of Transportation design approval in October 2022. By March 2023, B&L will have the project plans, specs, and estimates completed, leading to bids being sent out and opened in April 2023. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2023 and be completed by September 2023.

Christiano said the sidewalks will be 5 ft wide with 6 inch concrete curbing along with ADA compliant curb ramps and way-finding and pedestrian signage. He showed slides of the existing conditions in the hamlet, with some areas having no sidewalks and poorly located crosswalks, confusing signage that lacks consistency and few signs to direct people to the rail trail and parking. He noted that Vineyard Avenue and Main Street has underutilized pedestrian space, faded crosswalks, incompatible amenities and tree stumps that need to be removed and new lower height vegetation planted.

Christiano knows the town is looking to have the Central Hudson power lines in the hamlet put underground as this project is being done. Supervisor Plavchak expects to hear back from the Department of Homeland Security in early 2023 about a grant the town applied for that would allow for the burying of power lines, which will significantly enhance the overall look of the hamlet.

Christiano said B&L is still discussing a design for the Hamlet center itself and provided suggestions for the town’s consideration: expanding or reducing the plaza area in front of the main building, adding curb bump outs and adjusting crosswalk setbacks from the intersection. He also showed green-themed signage for the hamlet and the rail trail that is under consideration.

Christiano urged the Town Board to finalize their options in October so his firm can incorporate their chosen options in a final design report.