Tower Hill Road paving project draws to a close

Tower Hill Road paving project draws to a close

Putting the finishing touches on a three-year project to convert the 1.9 miles of Tower Hill Road from dirt to a paved surface, the town crew paused for a photo on Thursday, July 25. Operating the excavator was town Highway Superintendent Megan Chamberlin. Town crew Foreman Paul Voorhees, at left, and crew member Darren Peterson were applying traprock to control runoff on the shoulders. Asphalt paving was completed in June.

Photo by Leila Hawken

WASSAIC — After three years of work and planning, a paving project along Tower Hill Road in Wassaic is nearing completion.
In recent days the town crew has applied finishing materials to disperse water runoff along the 1.9 miles of asphalt surfacing. The road extends from Route 22 in Wassaic to the Town of Washington on its far end.

Over its long history as a narrow, hilly dirt road, Amenia Highway Superintendent Megan Chamberlin commented, Tower Hill Road was a safety concern for residents and emergency vehicles alike. Mud season was always a problem. If the dirt road had failed to freeze in the winter, town plows struggled. A heavy rain would require immediate attention, Chamberlin said.

The project began in 2022 with repairing the road, replacing drainage pipes and enlarging the culverts to control drainage. In 2023 a base was applied to serve as a binder for the asphalt layer that was applied in June of this year.

The finishing work by town crews in July has applied materials they saved from a Wassaic road project in 2021 and adding traprock to the road’s shoulders to further control the erosive effects of water runoff, Chamberlin said.

The road improvement project was supported by state funding leading to an appropriation of $398,090, and a donation to the town of $277,000 from Tower Hill Road Works, LLC.

Latest News

Busking in the Berkshires
Brent McCoy of Secret Circus Show at Berkshire Busk!
Roman Iwasiwka

While playing outside in the early post-pandemic days, Berkshire Busk! founder Eugene Carr had an epiphany: why not expand the idea of performing on the street (aka busking)into a full-fledged festival in Great Barrington?

As an entrepreneur and cellist, Carr envisioned a well-organized jamboree featuring regional talent, including musicians, acrobats, storytellers, fire-eaters, and more. He formed a team, connected with local businesses and the town of Great Barrington, and launched Berkshire Busk! in 2021. Since then, Berkshire Busk! has grown into a summer staple for Great Barrington.

Keep ReadingShow less
'Sylvia' brings heart, humor and one unforgettable dog to Sharon Playhouse stage

What if the dog onstage was played by a person? That’s the delightful twist in A.R. Gurney’s “Sylvia,” opening at the Sharon Playhouse on Aug. 29. In this clever and heartfelt comedy, the title character — a stray pup who disrupts the lives of a married couple — is portrayed not in costume but by an actor who brings insight, charm, and chaos to the role.

Stepping into Sylvia’s paws is Jen Cody, who is returning to the Sharon Playhouse in a starring role for her third year in a row, ready to bring this spirited dog to life. She’s joined by Jonathan Walker as Greg, the middle-aged man smitten with his new four-legged friend, and Jennifer Van Dyck as Kate, his wife, whose patience and identity are tested by Sylvia’s sudden presence in their home.

Keep ReadingShow less
Labor Day weekend art, design and local finds

Paul Chaleff’s exhibit at Mad Rose Gallery in Millerton.

Provided

The unofficial end of summer is here, and while some of us may mourn the shortening days and cooler nights, the culturally-inclined denizens of the Litchfield Hills, Berkshires and Taconics have plenty to look forward to.

During Labor Day weekend, visit one of the offerings below, and maybe even take home a watercolor, rug, or locally-crafted wooden bowl to ready your home for the indoor season ahead.

Keep ReadingShow less