Letters to the Editor
February 15, 2008
Route 120 Bridge: Please think it through before building
Chuck Napoli, R.A.
Thanks for the Route 120 sidewalk
Mark S. Tulis
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Route 120 Bridge: Please think it through before building
Dear Editor,
We must petition our New Castle elected officials to stop the department of transportation’s three-lane bridge replacement and associated highway extension for the reasons that the construction is neither in context nor compatible with the character of the Chappaqua Hamlet and is completely insensitive to the architectural history of the bridge being replaced.
How did we get from simple repair to bridge replacement?
The original bridge project of 2000 has changed dramatically from a simple repair and a type II state environmental quality review action of no substantial changes to something drastically different. The scope of the project we ask to be stopped has morphed into a massive construction, greatly exceeding the definition of minor highway rehabilitation. The bridge replacement component widens the Rt. 120 traveled road width to three travel lanes, two very wide shoulders, four foot high stone guard rails at the sidewalks and expansive concrete surfaces striped with required yellow or white painted caution markings and medians that split the surplus pavement and traffic into four travel lanes as they merge into the triangle intersection at South Greeley Avenue. Very different.
Lack of coordination and collaboration
Perhaps the most important reason to stop the big bridge/big highway is this; the bridge officials have not only failed to collaborate with and obtain agreement from the Downtown Steering Committee or any other advisory committee, commission or task force, but shamefully failed to provide any effective vehicle congestion solution at South Greeley Avenue and the triangle intersection or through much of the business district. Instead it further congests the heart of the hamlet with a concentrated supply of vehicles into the already non-functional traffic patterns. Incredibly, Supervisor Gerrard, in her Supervisors Report of February 8, found on the town website (http://www.town.new-castle.ny.us, Latest News, Route 120 Bridge Reconstruction Update), thinks the new bridge solution “should help ease the morning traffic flow” . . . ”and hopefully reduce backup over the bridge” (emphasis added). “Should” and “hopefully?” To proceed with this massive project with no knowledge of traffic projections and impacts other than “should” and “hopefully” is irresponsible.
In order to deliver the “quaint,” “charming,” “small town feeling of Chappaqua,” the Downtown Steering Committee’s evolving hamlet planning process must include accurate traffic congestion mitigation measures now; they must not be left to be addressed at some later date, to morph into still another partial fix that further hinders the steering committee’s ability to create solutions within the vision of “small town.”
Bridge replacement and downtown development out of sync
The effort dubbed “community place making” by the Downtown Steering Committee is concentrating on the shopkeepers need for foot traffic and the quality of pedestrian “shopping and gathering places” and is making progress in understanding and providing a safe intimate pedestrian experience at the very same locale. South Greeley Avenue and the triangle intersection are the agreed gateway to the heart of the shopping district. It is clear both camps have the power to determine the future of our public spaces, the “civic way” made up of the roads and sidewalks we share.
The two efforts, however, are out of sync calendar wise and poles apart when it comes to their missions. The requests for a “quaint, charming, small town feeling of Chappaqua” public places from one camp are seemingly unaware or totally oblivious to the fate of the imminent implementation of a pragmatic large scale big bridge/big highway centered on use of the same public space of the other camp. Dysfunctional results loom unless the two disparate efforts have the opportunity to evaluate the impacts with each other and then move forward in concert and truly blend hamlet places and traffic needs at the gateway and throughout the Chappaqua Hamlet.
Any concept of “community” and “sense of place” coming together that excludes the bridge replacement project’s traffic impact as a major element of the downtown fabric not only erodes the foundation of a stable, resilient and cohesive community but detracts from the well-being of the people, economy and official authority of our town.
Charles Napoli, R.A.
Member, Landmarks Advisory Committee
Charles Napoli is a architect who has studied these issues for several years and has recently presented a comprehensive plan for bridge repair and downtown development to the Planning Board and the Downtown Steering Committee.
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Letter to the Editor
February 11, 2008
Thanks for the Route 120 sidewalk
Supervisor Barbara Gerrard and Members of the Town Board of New Castle
200 South Greeley Avenue Chappaqua, New York 10514
Dear Supervisor Gerrard and Members of the Town Board:
I am writing to add my thanks to those of many other residents who live
along Route 120 for the Route 120 sidewalk. As many of you know, I am an
avid bicyclist and probably go up and down Route 120 five or six days a
week. I am happy to report that I since can now use the sidewalk I no
longer have to dodge drivers with SUV’s who are simultaneously talking on
their telephones, drinking coffee and fixing their ties (men) or putting
on their makeup (women), thus probably extending my life span several
decades. Once again, thank you for the sidewalk.
Best personal regards,
Mark S. Tulis
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