Montgomery County legislators debate whether to repair or permanently close Switzer Hill after long shutdown

Montgomery County legislators and public works staff discussed options for Switzer Hill — also referred to in discussion as School Hill/Old Johnstown Road — after a recent crash and lengthy closure raised emergency-access and safety concerns.

Committee members described a recent closure that lasted roughly 12 to 13 hours and said the prolonged shutdown forced ambulances and other emergency vehicles to take much longer routes. Committee members said that from the Bridal Old Fonda firehouse the detour to some homes became about 4.5 miles, whereas access via Switzer Hill would be roughly one mile.

The discussion focused on three options: (1) reopen the road by repairing the failed section and using shared county/town services to reduce contractor costs; (2) redesign and partially realign the road, which would likely require property acquisitions at the top of the hill; or (3) formally close the road and remove the cul-de-sac. Committee members urged a prompt decision to avoid further incidents.

Staff and members agreed to convene a follow-up meeting with town officials, county public works staff and local engineers to review earlier plans, explore in‑house work and shared services to lower costs, and determine which external contract work remains necessary. Committee members discussed the prospect of reopening the road and transferring maintenance responsibility to the town to avoid increasing county road miles if the road is returned to local control.

Committee members and staff flagged specific technical obstacles: the likely need for pile-driving and heavy excavators to construct retaining structures and realign the road, and the possibility that property acquisitions would be required for a realignment option. Members also noted prior plans that included removing a cul‑de‑sac — a component previously estimated at roughly $250,000 — and said revisiting those designs might identify elements the county or town could do with existing equipment to reduce outside contracting costs.

No formal vote was recorded on a construction decision. The committee directed staff to schedule a focused follow-up meeting with the town of Mohawk representatives, the county DPW/engineering staff, and legislators to refine scope, costs and funding options. That meeting is intended to identify feasible near‑term repairs to restore safe emergency access and to establish next steps for funding or formal closure if repairs are not feasible.

Why it matters: the road serves residential areas and school bus routes; long closures increase response times for ambulances and fire apparatus. Committee members emphasized the need to move from repeated discussion to concrete, coordinated action with the town and county public works resources.