Maple Avenue sidewalk set for an accessibility update

MILLERTON — The stretch of sidewalk on Maple Avenue that begins from about 135 feet south of Park Street and runs north to Highland Drive is slated for construction.

Dutchess County is responsible for the maintenance and updates of that stretch, and is overseeing the project. The construction will only take place on the west side of the street. Since the project is in its preliminary stages, dates for construction have not yet been set.

The primary purpose of the construction, which is being carried out by the Dutchess County Department of Public Works (DCDPW) and MJ Engineering and Land Surveying (MJELS), is to ensure the sidewalk is compliant with accessibility standards. The sidewalk is to be widened from 4 feet to 5 feet, the minimum width considered to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As a result, the sidewalk will be moved closer to the street in some places.

“In some sections it is being moved closer to the road to avoid private property and allow for a better alignment to create ADA compliant ramps and crossings,” Matt Dutcavich, project manager and director of engineering for DCDPW, wrote in an email to The Millerton News. He noted that there will be a buffer of at least 3 feet between the sidewalk and the road.

In addition to widening of the sidewalk, road crossings are being altered to “comply with proper sidewalk ramps and crosswalks.”

According to the New York State Department of Transportation, current accessibility guidelines mandate that road crossings be equipped with detectable warning surfaces, tactile surfaces that indicate proximity to a crosswalk. The stretch of sidewalk on Maple Avenue is not currently equipped with such surfaces.

The construction will also require the removal of some trees, and there are plans to add a flashing beacon to the crosswalk just north of Park Street.

The county held a public comment forum Thursday, Aug. 17, at the NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex to answer questions and receive input on the project. Dutcavich represented the project at the forum along with DCDPW project engineer Soma Mathew; Brian Cooper, MJELS senior vice president of transportation engineering; and MJELS highway group manager Lisa Wallin.

North East resident and Climate Smart Community coordinator Kathy Chow, who attended the forum, is excited about the improvements: “These sidewalks are an important step towards making the village truly walkable. We’re thrilled the county has made it a priority. … I see a future where many car trips can be replaced by safe, healthful people-powered mobility,” Chow wrote.