Raymond Ave construction debate continues

Lauren Sutherland Assistant News Editor

The longstanding contention surrounding the New York State Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Raymond Avenue reconstruction has recently re-emerged with the approach of the project’s first phase, scheduled to begin this summer. A recent issue of The Poughkeepsie Journal featured discordant opinion letters submitted by town residents. During All-College Day on Feb. 22, Vassar staff members manned a table to raise student awareness about the major changes, which will occur over the next few years.

In the years since the first proposal in 2000, the development of the project has encountered controversy; however, plans to reconstruct Raymond Ave continued undeterred until recently, when the disapproval of the newly-elected Poughkeepsie town board threatened to slow progress. Although Raymond Ave extends through the District of Arlington, it is technically a state highway, so its maintenance and control fall under state jurisdiction. Still, the DOT is often reluctant to begin expensive undertakings without the support of the local communities who would feel their immediate effects.

According to Physics Professor Marianne Begemann, who supports the state project, local elections of Poughkeepsie city and town boards in November replaced a formerly approving administration willing to defer to the DOT with a new board that is against the proposed changes. “The DOT would be spending millions of dollars on changes to Raymond Ave,” said Begemann. “They don’t want to make so huge an investment with the town board against them.”

Although the board’s resistance has not yet frozen the plans for the street, it is unlikely that the DOT will proceed until specific agreements regarding the highway’s maintenance have been reached between the state and the town of Poughkeepsie.

“This week, the town and the DOT are trying to come to an understanding which will provide a collaborative climate for decision making, assuming the project goes forward,” said English Professor Judith Nichols, who spearheaded a letter-writing campaign promoting the project both locally and throughout the state.

Plans for improvement have been years in the making

In 2000, the DOT responded to the local and state concerns regarding the safety and efficiency of Raymond Ave with a plan to narrow the four-lane road to two lanes. The transformation would be accompanied by the addition of medians and three roundabouts, or small “traffic-taming” circles, to replace lighted intersections. The changes are slated to be completed in two phases; the first phase concerns the part of Raymond Ave in front of Vassar that extends from College Avenue to Hooker Avenue. In addition to roundabouts and medians, a sidewalk would be added on the east side of the road, increasing the accessibility of parts of the Vassar campus that have been bisected by the busy street. The project’s second phase, scheduled to begin one to two years after the completion of the first, will cover the part of Raymond Ave that stretches over the Poughkeepsie bridge to the westbound arterial highway, and that includes the Arlington business district.

Not all approve of the state’s “solution”

Many local residents have opposed the plan due to concerns regarding the effects it could have upon nearby residential areas. “Residents are convinced that the roundabouts will divert traffic into nearby neighborhoods,” said Begemann. “Those who live on Grand Avenue are especially concerned, because of the elementary school and playground.”

Vassar staff members involved and acquainted with the plan consider the effects of “traffic-taming” measures on surrounding areas negligible. Buildings and Grounds Associate Executive Director Jeff Horst cited a traffic simulation conducted by state engineers two years ago that effectively challenged these concerns.

“Engineers rearranged the traffic signal patterns and constructed barricades out of cones in order to temporarily produce the effects of the plan,” said Horst. “As a result, traffic was quieter, slower, and more pedestrian-friendly. The DOT studies have showed that little, if any, diversion will occur, and that adding roundabout will actually increase the efficiency of driving down Raymond.”

Some residents also decry the elimination of 30 parking spots in the residential district without the addition of extra off-street parking and worry that a narrower highway will limit the maneuverability of emergency and maintenance vehicles.

Local resistance to Vassar’s involvement

Resistance to the DOT’s plan may involve more than practical traffic considerations; distrust of Vassar’s involvement in the project underlies the opposing arguments of some Poughkeepsie residents. A recent letter in The Poughkeepsie Journal criticized the project as part of Vassar’s prodigal agenda to create “a prettier façade to print on its brochures,” and at least one member of the town board has expressed suspicion of Vassar’s support.

Nichols was unconvinced that such resentment is widespread in Arlington. “The anti-Vassar sentiments of a single board member are not typical of the general feeling of the town board,” she said. “Also, The Poughkeepsie Journal tends to emphasize the sense that the DOT has profound autonomy; at most, it is the main place that the story gets covered.”

However, the College’s involvement in the project is undeniably important to its success. “The reason that the renovation of the road in front of Vassar is taking place prior to the road in front of the local businesses has to do with the extensive electrical changes that will need to take place before construction at that end of the street can begin,” said Nichols. “Whenever road projects have millions of dollars in state funding, there will be questions raised about the wisdom of how this money should be spent.”

“This project was completely initiated by the DOT, and I was only approached after it was first conceived in order to study and develop plans,” added Horst. “Logistically and financially it makes sense to do the Vassar stretch first, in order to make stage two easier.

Vassar has a high aesthetic standard, and the College has agreed to maintain land and median strips, as well as sight amenities such as light fixtures. We’re also working with the DOT to explore opportunities for additional parking.”

Town Board skeptical that plan will produce necessary changes

Many were surprised by the trepidation of the newly elected board due to its assertions that improving Raymond Ave is a major priority of the new administration.

“It just doesn’t make sense according to the board’s proclaimed ‘master plan,’” said Begemann. “They claim that the creation of friendlier town centers is so important, yet they won’t support a proposal that will help us get there. It’s nonsensical.”

However, Poughkeepsie Town Supervisor Pat Myers was skeptical that the proposed reconstruction of Raymond Ave would bring Poughkeepsie any closer to developing a more pedestrian-friendly town center.

“The concern is that there isn’t any funding for the second phase, and as of now we have no guarantee that it will ever be completed,” said Myers. “Also, the DOT has never done a project like this before, and essentially we are the guinea pigs for their undertaking.” Myers agreed that improving Raymond Ave should be a major concern for the town, but noted that she resented the DOT’s seemingly whimsical, experimental approach.

The future of Raymond Avenue

Myers said that the board’s disapproval would prove to be a long-term obstacle for the DOT. “We’d all like to be able to work together to improve the condition of Raymond Ave. It’s just how we go about doing it that has become the issue. We’ve discussed alternatives with the DOT, but they don’t seem to be concerned with other plans,” said Myers.

Despite persisting disagreements, Myers expressed some optimism regarding continued negotiations between the town, the College, and the DOT, particularly in terms of parking arrangements.

Despite DOT autonomy, Nichols noted that some resolution between the board and the state is necessary in order for the project to go ahead as scheduled. “The DOT needs a maintenance agreement passed this week,” said Nichols.

Although the terms of such an agreement are as yet undecided, they would have to do with the town’s cooperation in the maintenance of sidewalks, drainage and electricity along Raymond Ave.

“The DOT really wants this pilot project to work, so that it can serve as a flagship of success of the newly devised traffic strategies,” said Horst. “I’ve been in touch with a contact from the DOT, at this point they have not halted plans to begin work on Raymond this summer.”

Horst added, “However, that could change in a day.”