July 24, 1998

Contact: Geoffrey Ryan, NYCDEP (718/595-5371)

City Designing Dunraven Bridge and Schoharie Roads Projects

Commissioner Joel A. Miele Sr., P.E., of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today that the designing process is well underway for reconstruction projects at the Dunraven Bridge, at the eastern end of the Pepacton Reservoir in the Town of Middletown, Delaware County, and the roads that circumnavigate the Schoharie Reservoir in Delaware, Greene and Schoharie Counties. Design of the Dunraven Bridge project was started on May 15th. The project will include construction of a new bridge with a steel superstructure on reinforced concrete piers, reconstruction of the bridge approach pavements, reconstruction of the intersection of Causeway and Reservoir Roads, reconstruction of Causeway Road, and reconstruction of the intersection of Routes 28 and 30 with deceleration and acceleration lanes so that vehicles may leave and enter the state highways at appropriate speeds without impeding traffic flow.

The Schoharie roads project consists of two sections. Design of both sections began on May 28th.

Roadway Section 1 runs along the east side of the Schoharie Reservoir, between the intersection of State Route 23 in the Town of Prattsville at the south and State Route 30 in the Town of Gilboa at the north. The project includes resurfacing the asphalt roadways, the installation of new guide rails and making improvements to culverts that will meet, at a minimum, the requirements of New York Guidelines for Urban Erosion and Sedimentation Control.

Roadway Section 2 runs along the west side of the Schoharie Reservoir between State Route 23 in the Town of Roxbury at the south and State Route 30 in the Town of Gilboa at the north. It is presently an unpaved, unimproved roadway, which will require complete reconstruction. The project will include constructing a new, full-depth pavement box, new guide rails, rehabilitation of the Bearkill Bridge, and construction of new drainage pipes, culverts and outfalls that meet the requirements of the City's Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan.

The design for both projects will include temporary and permanent signs and roadway striping plans, as well as plans for staging areas and detours.

Commissioner Miele said, "These projects represent greatly improved transportation facilities for residents and visitors of the area. Detours will be necessary at various stages of the projects, however, and I regret any inconveniences the construction phase may cause travelers on these roadways."