This September 2011 file photo shows preliminary work on the construction of a new bridge on Route 32 in Kiskatom early in the recovery from Tropical Storm Irene. Now, almost three years to the day since the storm ravaged Greene County, officials are finally closing the book on several bridge repair projects. Columbia-Greene Media File
The Daily Mail – Wednesday, August 13, 2014 – By Max Oppen Columbia-Greene Media
CATSKILL — After nearly three years since Tropical Storm Irene roared through upstate New York, the Greene County Highway Department has completed — and has been reimbursed for — all projects stemming from the storm.
According to Greene County Highway Superintendent Gary Harvey, there is just $19,488 left to submit for closeout. The highway department has spent $17.7 million for repairs, and received $14.7 million, with $2.4 million on the way. Their last project, the retaining wall on County Route 2 in Prattsville, has been audited and submitted for closeout at a cost of $590,673. “All things considered,” Harvey said, “it all worked out really well. We got a lot of new infrastructure out of it, with 100 percent reimbursement for over $17 million. It was a lot of work. We had a lot of good help from a lot of different people to make it happen.”
The highway department is slated to start roadwork on Main Street in Cairo from the traffic light to the Shingle Kill Bridge, to Hannaford, across Route 32 and up to the intersection of Main Street and Route 23.
According to Harvey, road work on County Route 25 in Haines Falls is also scheduled to begin just after Labor Day, with the goal of completion by Columbus Day. Harvey said: “We’re going to excavate the road, put a footing down, and build a retaining wall out, just like we did on County Route 2 in Prattsville.” Regarding the repairs over the last three years, Greene County Legislator James Hitchcock said, “The public should be pleased.”
In other bridge matters, a resolution passed authorizing a contract between the county and the Village of Catskill for the Black Bridge rehabilitation project. Also for the Black Bridge, a resolution passed that authorizes the Highway Department to enter into an agreement with Creighton Manning Engineering, LLP, for engineering design services for the rehab of the Black Bridge.
A resolution passed that authorizes a supplemental agreement necessary for the completion of the road acquisition phase for the replacement of the Carr Road Bridge in the Town of Jewett. A measure also passed that authorizes the Highway Department to enter into an agreement with Creighton Manning Engineering, LLP, for construction inspection services for the replacement of the Carr Road Bridge.
A resolution passed that authorizes the implementation and funding of 100 percent of the federal aid and State “Marchiselli” program-aid eligible costs of the Carr Road Bridge.