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JAMESTOWN, NY (WNY News Now) – The City of Jamestown has been busy this Summer with a record number of projects underway. From rebuilding brick roads, to creating new intersections, to delays in major projects, it’s been a record year from local crews.
Public Works Chairman Randy Daversa spoke to WNY News Now, touting the sheer amount of roadwork the city has on their plate this year. Daversa also provided an update on some of the area’s most crucial projects.
“We have had a banner year for the amount of work that has been done this year,“ explained Daversa. “Due to the fact that we had a lot of federal and state money through the CHIPS fund, some ARPA funds, and through our general budget for the city streets. And with the help of that it has been extremely busy and city crews have been going at it every day.”
Many projects the city has undertaken include sidewalk abatements for handicap accessibility, rebuilding brick streets, and more infamously, the new intersection of Baker and Barrett Streets. A project that Daversa says was really needed.
“This intersection really needed to be done for safety; there was just too many accidents here,“ stated Daversa. “People had to look back really hard, and they couldn’t make the proper vision. So the way they reconstructed it, it came out very nice.”
While not a city project, the plan to redesign Washington Street, transforming it from a four-lane thoroughfare to three-lanes with a two-way left-turn lane in the middle of the street, has seen delays; much to the dismay of city officials.
“It was scheduled to be new water lines, drainage, and completely repaved to make it a three-lane,” explained Daversa. “The state DOT is in charge of that job, and they ran into a backlog of scheduling and getting materials. Which I have to say, we are not crazy about it, but they are not going to resurface it until next year.”
Roadwork and construction may cause delays for those who frequent the areas, but Daversa believes it will all be worth it in the end.
“It’s always a big inconvenience,“ said Daversa. “Even for myself, and everybody. People grumble and complain about having to go around, but it’s growing pains. It’s something that has been needed to be done with the streets and the potholes. If we could just get through this year you’re going to see a lot of streets that are resurfaced and it’s going to be worth it in the end.”
Since road work has begun, construction costs have increased, but extra funding Public Works has received for this year should cover any additional costs.
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