2008-2012
NYMTC TIP Update
Public Comments and Agency Responses for MHSTCC
PUTNAM COUNTY PUBLIC COMMENTS
NOTE: This section of Putnam County comments all focus on the Peekskill
Hollow Road
project. A response can be found beginning on page 5 of this document.
COMMENT: Michele Berdy, mberdygmac.com submitted this comment in
writing at the public meeting: I
have grave concerns that any widening or straightening of Peekskill
Hollow Road will change the rural
character of our community, undermine public safety and transform
Peekskill Hollow into a major
east/west corridor.
RESPONSE: See Peekskill Hollow Road response on page 5.
COMMENT: Dell Jones from “The A.L.Y. Group”
<alyg...@optonline.net> e-mailed: Hi, how do we
find out exactly what improvements are proposed for Peekskill Hollow
Rd. in Putnam Valley?
RESPONSE: (E-mailed previously) Since this is a Putnam County project,
I would recommend you
contact Mark Rosa from the Putnam County Highway Department at (845)
878-6331 for additional
project details. Also, the NYMTC website is working and the Draft
2008-2012 Project Listings can be
found at www.nymtc.org. On the left hand side of the home page click on
"Programs and Projects" then
the "Transportation Improvement Program" for the 2008-2012 listings.
(also, see Peekskill Hollow Road response on page 5.)
COMMENT: Dawn Powell, 185 Lake Drive, Lake Peekskill, New York 10537
e-mailed: Confusion and
misinformation seems to be growing rather than abating on this topic.
The information from the county
is different from the information from your organization and the
county’s information is not consistent.
Since we don’t seem to know what the continued process is to be, I
would like to be clear about the
opinions that have been expressed here. The county’s plan did not
incorporate all of the concerns of
residents. There was a significant organization that grew out of
opposition to this project, and they are
re-organizing. Not all aspects of the project are in dispute, but as
discussed at the public hearing, the
width of the shoulders, the nature of the storm drainage into the
Hollowbrook Creek, the straightening
of the curve at Lovers Lane, and the design at Oregon Corners,
including the riparian buffer for the
Creek, are still issues. The County DOT has not met with the
Comprehensive Plan Committee, our
planner, or our Architectural Advisory Board, and has not been
forthcoming with information. The rural
character of the road is very important to residents and that issue has
not been fully addressed. It would
be appreciated if this project was not scheduled until the community
concerns have been addressed.
Thank you for your consideration.
RESPONSE: See Peekskill Hollow Road response on page 5.
NYMTC 2008-2012 TIP Update Page 1 of 18 Thursday, May 3, 2007
MHSTCC Public Comments and Responses
COMMENT: Dr. Kathleen O'C. Hoekstra e-mailed- Dear Ms. Shanahan, I am a
resident of Putnam
Valley, and am interested in receiving all documents related to the
proposed Peekskill Hollow Road
project which was outlined at the meeting last week in White Plains.
Would you be able to provide me
with the location of these documents, and the persons responsible for
them? Thank you for your help.
RESPONSE: via e-mail - Dear Dr. Hoekstra, as you requested, attached
please find a copy of the
Putnam County listings that were distributed at the meeting last week.
If you are interested in the larger
program for the entire program for the New York Metropolitan
Transportation Council (Lower Hudson
Valley, NYC and Long island) that can be downloaded from the NYMTC
website at:
http://www.nymtc.org/abouttip-down.cfm Please let me know if you have
any questions or comments
concerning this or if you need any additional information.
(also, see Peekskill Hollow Road response on page 5.)
COMMENT: Dr. Hoekstra e-mailed again: Dear Ms. Shanahan, thanks for
sending the info re
transportation grants. I am interested in reviewing the file on the
work intended for Peekskill Hollow
Road, specifically. Would you be kind enough to let me know how I can
best go about this. Thank you.
RESPONSE: via e-mail: Dear Dr. Hoekstra, at the MHSTCC we do not have
files on the individual
projects. We only show agency and county projects on the Transportation
Improvement Program for
programming purposes. For project information, since this is a Putnam
County project, I would
recommend you contact Mark Rosa from the Putnam County Highway
Department at (845) 878-6331
for additional project details.
(also, see Peekskill Hollow Road response on page 5.)
COMMENT: Patty Villanova, 14 West Ave., Putnam Valley, NY 10579
845-528-9447 commented via e-
mail: Dear Ms. Shanahan, as a 50 year resident of Putnam Valley, I
would like to go on record as stating
that I am 100% opposed to what your agency is trying to do to our road.
If you do even HALF of what
you have planned, our quality of life will be destroyed and the rural
character of our town destroyed. I
travel Peekskill Hollow Rd. every day to get to my business in Carmel,
NY which is at the other end of
Route 301. The truck traffic that's on that road now is horrific and as
it is, I've almost been hit by huge
trucks that come flying down the road- even though it is narrow and
winding. What makes you think that
we would ever want to turn it into a virtual freeway so that these
monsters can drive at 50 or 60 MPH?
Is that your idea of an "improvement?"
Sorry, but unlike the government politicians and bureaucrats, we don't
want your stinking money! Leave
Peekskill Hollow Road alone - please!
RESPONSE: See Peekskill Hollow Road response on page 5.
NYMTC 2008-2012 TIP Update Page 2 of 18 Thursday, May 3, 2007
MHSTCC Public Comments and Responses
COMMENT: Russ Pessina, 632 Peekskill Hollow Road, Putnam Valley, NY
10579, 845-528-9350
_Rpes...@aol.com_ (mailto:Rpes...@aol.com) commented via e-mail: To
Mid-Hudson South TCC, I
live on Peekskill Hollow Road in Putnam Valley and I am imploring you
to leave it alone. There is nothing
wrong with it the way it is. The only people who want you to install
these "improvements" are those
drivers who want to speed along this north/south route. If you want to
go faster than 40 mph, the
Taconic State Parkway follows exactly the same north/south route, is
less than a half mile away and has a
speed limit of 55 mph. Peekskill Hollow Road is a lovely country road
that fulfills its role as a conduit for
local traffic. It is not necessary for it to be a speedway.
As far as turning lanes at Oregon Corners, we don't need them. This is
not 57th St. and Fifth Avenue in
Manhattan. I have lived in Putnam Valley since 1979 and have never
encountered a traffic jam there. I
have never had to wait long enough to make a turn there so that I lost
the green light. I simply don't see
the need. I also happen to be a patron of George's service station at
the corner and I do not want to see
it disappear. Whoever says it's an eyesore is missing the beauty and
eccentricity of Putnam Valley. If you
want shiny and new, move to Bedford.
Please don't destroy what most of us moved to Putnam Valley for --- a
slower and simpler lifestyle.
RESPONSE: See Peekskill Hollow Road response on page 5.
COMMENT: Archbishop Anthony J. Bondi, Jr., of New York commented via
e-mail: Dear Ms. Jean
Shanahan, I write to you regarding the public meeting scheduled for
April 5th regarding Putnam Valley.
Specifically: There is a public meeting scheduled for April 5th
regarding proposed federal funding for
"improvements" to Peekskill Hollow Road. Areas involved: Peekskill
Hollow Road (CR21) reconstruction
from Oscawana Lake Road (CR20) to Route 301 to improve geometrics, add
shoulders, and improve drainage.
Town of Putnam Valley and Kent
The proposed plan covers straightening out Lovers Lane, 4 foot wide
shoulders on PHR, getting rid of
the garage at Oregon Corners, widening the bridge at Oregon Corners,
replacing the bridge on PHR,
adding turn lanes at Oregon Corners and the school, and rehabilitating
pavement.
If attending the meeting at the location below, you are requested to
RSVP to Jean Shanahan, mentioned
below. If you can not attend, you can mail or email your comments to
her as well, before May 7, 2007.
Please include your full name and address.
The above was received today, April 4th, at 6pm. I find it incredible
that such an important meeting
would be scheduled on Maundy Thursday in Holy Week. As an Orthodox
Christian and Archbishop of
New York who lives in Putnam Valley and a member of the Town Ethics
Board one would think that the
purpose was to exclude as many people as possible or at the least to
force them to make a decision to
either be good Christians or good citizens when no such choice should
exist. Therefore I strenuously
object to your scheduling this meeting during the Christian Holy Week
and Passover.
RESPONSE: In order to meet everyone’s needs, there are multiple
opportunities and techniques
available to submit comments. Attendance at a meeting is not mandatory.
Also, see Peekskill Hollow Road response on page 5.
NYMTC 2008-2012 TIP Update Page 3 of 18 Thursday, May 3, 2007
MHSTCC Public Comments and Responses
COMMENT: Peter Pouridas, 738 Peekskill Hollow Road, e-mailed: Ms.
Shanahan, As a homeowner
with property frontage on Peekskill Hollow Road I am dismayed to hear
of the ressurrection of the
plan to add shoulders and "improve the geometry" of this roadway. When
this project was initially
proposed several years ago it was opposed by most of the residents of
this area for a myriad of
reasons. I was at a town meeting with Commissioner Gary where these
opinions were expressed in
no uncertain terms. There is no way that doing this would not change
the rural character and charm
of this road. This project would also no doubt increase the amount and
speed of truck traffic through
this area. Just because Federal funds are available for this
ill-conceived project doesn't mean it needs
to be spent. Based on the short notice of this meeting I will not be
able to attend but I want to make
my concerns CLEARLY known to you and the other elected officials in my
area. Thank You.
RESPONSE: Also, see Peekskill Hollow Road response on page 5.
Verbal comments received at the public meeting regarding Peekskill
Hollow Road:
. It is difficult to get information. From Oregon Corners to Adams
Corners the scope includes
widening + 4’, changes to the high school and the Lover’s Lane curve
straightened. The majority
of the residents do not want to see the widening of the shoulders,
although they do understand
the need for drainage modifications and other improvements in the
vicinity of Oregon Corners
and the high school. This project would severely change the character
of the road. Wider
shoulders would mean more truck traffic and more safety issues. The
Comprehensive Plan
committee tried to get the county to work with them, they have not been
able to do that, there
has been no cooperation.
. 5 years ago we got 750 signatures opposing the project. We are
concerned with the limits of the
projects. The ultimate purpose of change was? Residents heard that it
may be considered an
evacuation route for Indian Point. Is this true? Will the road be
widened for commuters to get to
the train station? Would be happy with clarification.
. Definition of a road – connection feeder or rural, are there
distinctions made depending upon the
difference in classification?
. Is the program a reimbursement or grant program?
. We were recently told by a Legislator and the County Executive that
nothing would be done
north of Adams Corners.
. Friends of Peekskill Hollow Road. What are the project limits, Oregon
to Adams? We heard
Adams and Bryant Pond – will it be announced at public hearing? How
fixed is it?
. Once official, can it be changed on the TIP?
. Will there be a public hearing or meeting? Will be before/near
construction phase for any
federally aided projects. Will there be any more public hearings /
meetings?
NYMTC 2008-2012 TIP Update Page 4 of 18 Thursday, May 3, 2007
MHSTCC Public Comments and Responses
. Next TIP update, will the project be barred if not funded?
. Is this the last public meeting on Peekskill Hollow Road? Just
construction now?
. Concerning federal guidelines, the drainage did not have to be MS4
compliant due to the
grandfathered road. The road runs along and drains into the creek. Will
it be filtered and MS4
compliant?
. Are the enhanced MS4 regulations out yet? Will Peekskill Hollow Road
be affected? Most of
Peekskill is in the watershed. If not, would the road have to be
retrofit? That would be far more
costly.
PEEKSKILL HOLLOW ROAD RESPONSE:
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) is an
association of governments,
transportation providers and environmental agencies that is a
collaborative forum for regional
transportation planning, and for the disbursement of federal
transportation improvement funds. The
NYMTC region includes New York City, Long Island and the Lower Hudson
Valley.
NYMTC members include local elected officials, heads of transportation
and environmental agencies that
are responsible for establishing and implementing transportation plans,
projects and programs. A staff of
about 90 supports the activities of the members with analytical tools
and innovative planning studies.
To respond to local needs, NYMTC is composed of three Transportation
Coordinating Committees
(TCCs): New York City TCC, Mid-Hudson South TCC and Nassau/Suffolk TCC.
These committees
recommend sub-regional transportation priorities and provide
opportunities for the private sector,
general public, local government and interested stakeholders to become
involved in the planning process
on a more local level.
One of the major documents developed by NYMTC is the Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP).
In accordance with federal regulations, NYMTC updates the
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
on a regular basis, typically every two years. This document is
developed through the cooperation of the
NYMTC members.
The TIP is an enabling document that allows for the obligation of
federal funds for transportation
projects. It is essentially a capital program of transportation
projects. Each project listed in the TIP
provides information on project scope, schedule, cost, air quality
information, location and sponsor.
Project descriptions are based on the best available information at the
time the TIP is developed.
Federal funding for projects comes from a number of different federal
programs. Requirements vary
depending upon the fund sources, generally a road must be on the
federal aid system to be eligible to
receive federal transportation funds. In addition, the federal aid
program is a reimbursement program,
not a grant program.
As part of the passage of Transportation Equity Act for the 21st
Century (TEA-21), the Putnam County
Department of Highways and Facilities was awarded a federal earmark for
improvements to Peekskill
Hollow Road. Initially there were two Peekskill Hollow Road projects
shown on the draft 2008-2012
TIP. The project identification numbers (PINS) are 8757.48 and 8758.77.
The descriptions of these
projects are as follows:
NYMTC 2008-2012 TIP Update Page 5 of 18 Thursday, May 3, 2007
MHSTCC Public Comments and Responses
a) 8757.48: Peekskill Hollow Road (CR 21) reconstruction: Oscawana Lake
Road (CR 20) to
Bryant Pond Road; improve geometrics, add shoulders, and improve
drainage. Towns of Putnam
Valley and Kent; and
b) 8758.77: Peekskill Hollow Road safety improvements from Bryant Pond
Road to Route 301.
Once a project is placed on the TIP, the project sponsor begins the
scoping and design of the project in
accordance with federal requirements. Preliminary design, detailed
design, and right-of-way incidentals
were obligated in December of 1999. Since that time the Putnam County
Department of Highways and
Facilities has been working on the project and the project is still in
the preliminary design stage.
No final design work has been done for this project yet. Some of the
questions raised concerning this
project are detail oriented and need to be addressed by the county
during final design.
Since it is during the design phases and the accompanying environmental
process that the scope of a
project is fully developed, it is common for the initial project
description on the TIP to be revised to
reflect those changes.
As mentioned above, Peekskill Hollow Road was placed on the TIP in the
two projects described above.
Due to financial constraints, Putnam County officially notified the
NYSDOT Local Projects Unit on April
26, 2007 that the county has now decided to modify the projects that
are shown on the TIP. Specifically,
the county will:
. Reduce the project limits for PIN 8757.48 by eliminating the section
of Peekskill Hollow Road
from Church Road / Mill Street to Bryant Pond Road. The new project
description for PIN
8757.48 is Peekskill Hollow Road: Oscawana Lake Road to Church Road /
Mill Street.
. Eliminate PIN 8758.77, Peekskill Hollow Road: Bryant Pond Road to
Route 301. All available
funds programmed for PIN 8758.77 will be transferred to PIN 8757.48.
Below is the revised TIP listing for PIN 8757.48:
The scope of the project includes pavement reconstruction, bridge work,
intersection improvements and
drainage work. Because Peekskill Hollow Road is a county road, Putnam
County, through its
Department of Highways and Facilities, is responsible for all project
design details.
NYMTC 2008-2012 TIP Update Page 6 of 18 Thursday, May 3, 2007
MHSTCC Public Comments and Responses
This federal aid project needs to follow all federal design,
right-of-way and construction regulations.
Additional information concerning the federal aid process can be found
in the NYSDOT manual
“Procedures for Locally Administered Federal Aid Projects”, which can
be found at
http://www.nysdot.gov/portal/page/portal/divisions/operating/opdm/community-
assistance-deliverybureau/locally-administered-federal-aid-projects.
All comments submitted as part of the 2008-2012 TIP update concerning
the Peekskill Hollow Road have
been forwarded to the Putnam County Department of Highways and
Facilities.
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