Transit Road reconstruction underway
Completion expected in December 2009
by KIMBERLY M. KARCHER Clarence Editor

Motorists traveling on Transit Road between Main Street and Aero Drive will avoid delays this construction season, according to the New York State Department of Transportation, which recently began a three-year reconstruction project on the highly traveled thoroughfare.

(See editorial on page four)

Clarence Town Engineer Joe Latona reported to the Town Board during its meeting on March 14 that a pre-construction meeting was recently held regarding the project to inform surrounding towns of the DOT's intentions during the construction process. The project is currently under way.

"Some utilities have already been relocated, gas, electric, water, sewer, cable ... some of that has already been started," Latona said in a subsequent interview. "There's a lot of work to be done."

Susan Surdej, public information officer, said the real work is going to begin next week, however there is no major construction planned for the project this season.

Completion of the approximately two-mile reconstruction project is slated for Dec. 31, 2009.

"This year, they will be dead-ending two streets that come out onto Wehrle which include McKinley and Harding," Surdej said. "They will be building a new road that will be behind the Cracker Barrel and comes out near Protocol (restaurant)."

Surdej added that most of this year's construction will concentrate on drainage which is typically done off to the side of the road and will not impede with traffic.

"Drivers shouldn't expect any major lane closures this season," Surdej said. "There maybe an occasional lane closure if they have to work at the side of the road, but nothing major is scheduled as of now for this construction season."

Latona said the DOT stated the hours of construction will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., weather dependant.

"The DOT has stated that they will be meeting with businesses (which are located) along the way, the State Police, and will notify the Town of Clarence (of meetings) so we can sit on some of that stuff," he added.

Latona said access roads to businesses located in the reconstruction stretch will be built to accommodate the shops.

As to the degree of backups and road work in the coming months, Latona said he didn't know.

"You can't break an omelet without breaking eggs," he said. "So, yes, there are going to be delays, and it's certainly going to be disruptive, but to what degree I don't know."

Latona said the initial work is planned for this year, so motorists may not feel too much of an impact from the construction, however as the project moves forward, delays are inevitable.

"They are doing it to improve Transit Road," Latona said.

e-mail: k k a rc h e r @beenews.com