Construction on the roundabout in the city of Oneonta is set to be completed by the end of the year, according to an update from the state Department of Transportation.
NYSDOT spokesperson Daniel Scharfenberger said Monday, Nov. 17 that the project at the intersection of James F. Lettis Highway and Main Street, both state roads, “is progressing on schedule, with remaining work — including sign and guide rail installation, lighting and striping — expected to be complete by the end of the year.”
Phase II of construction began at the beginning of September, and at the time was predicted to last one to two months, weather permitting.
The project converts the intersection at Lettis Highway and Main Street to a single-lane roundabout and additionally installs new signage and lighting to ensure the space is safe for pedestrians, according to Daily Star archives.
“Construction activities are weather dependent and motorists should continue to follow the posted detour until work is completed,” Scharfenberger said.
During Phase 2, Lettis Highway south is closed to all traffic. Northbound traffic on Lettis Highway can turn onto Route 7, Maple Street or Main Street. There is separate detour signage for cars and trucks to follow.
An update posted to the City of Oneonta Facebook page Sunday, Oct. 19 stated that crews would begin working overnight, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., to “complete top course paving and striping on the roundabout project.” At this point, overnight work is no longer scheduled, Scharfenberger said.
Scharfenberger said Wednesday, Aug. 27 that Phase 1 was “substantially complete.” The project’s first phase began in late May and was initially expected top last three months. He added in August that the project was on schedule to be completed by the end of November.
Regional director for NYSDOT Region 9 Andrew Stiles said in April that the traffic signal’s service life at the intersection was drawing to an end. Amid discussion about whether or not to replace a traffic signal, officials may consider a roundabout, Daily Star archives stated.
City Administrator Greg Mattice said Monday he was hoping to present an update on roundabout construction progress to the Common Council at its Tuesday, Nov. 18 meeting.
Kaytee Lipari Shue, D-Fourth Ward, asked Mattice at the Tuesday, Nov. 4 Common Council meeting when the roundabout would open officially, as she wanted to know what to tell her constituents about the progress.
Mattice said at the meeting that the roundabout likely would not be opened to full traffic for at least a couple of weeks. On Monday, Mattice said construction was behind what the NYSDOT initially communicated at the start of the project.
“That said, I know they’re doing their best to finish the remaining work and have experienced some unanticipated delays related to the items they mentioned,” Mattice said. “Certainly, the current weather is not ideal. We all look forward to the project’s completion.”
Aside from Phase 2 closures, much of the roundabout is open to drivers. NYSDOT has a perspective video on its website describing what to do and what signage to look out for when driving through the roundabout. To view the video, visit https://tinyurl.com/roundaboutdot.