Glenville board hears plans for $3.4M Freeman's Bridge Road sidewalks, multiuse path and DOT repaving

Tony Christiansen, project manager at Creighton Manning Engineering, presented detailed plans for multiple Freeman's Bridge Road projects intended to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety and to repave the roadway in coordination with NYS DOT.

Christiansen said the Freeman's Bridge Road Sidewalks and TAP project has roughly $3.4–$3.5 million available for engineering, right‑of‑way acquisitions, construction and inspection; about 80% of that sum is expected to be reimbursable by federal funds, with a 20% local match. He described proposed east‑side improvements from Max 410 to Dutch Meadows Lane and an 8‑foot asphalt multiuse path from Dutch Meadows Lane north to Route 50, and said New York State DOT will repave portions of the roadway at the state's expense.

The presentation identified right‑of‑way needs (about 16 acquisitions, primarily strip takings), potential utility pole relocations to be handled by National Grid, grading releases from property owners and adjustments to drainage and manholes to avoid ponding and winter hazards. Christiansen said DOT will lead the acquisition process and that the project is designed to follow federal acquisition guidelines to provide fair market value to affected property owners.

Christiansen also described a separate Freeman's Bridge Road Complete Streets sidewalk project on the west side with $1.2 million of DEC Climate Smart Grant funding requiring a 50/50 local match. For that west‑side work he said no permanent right‑of‑way takings were anticipated; the project will use DOT right‑of‑way and requires a use/occupancy agreement with DOT and coordination with DEC.

On schedule, Christiansen said preliminary designs are under review and the east‑side project anticipates construction beginning in fall 2025 (contingent on right‑of‑way acquisitions), with some work possibly extending into 2026; the west‑side multiuse path projects are in late design with most property acquisitions nearly complete and construction targeted for spring 2025.

Board members asked about traffic management, public notification and emergency‑vehicle route maintenance during construction. Christiansen said contractors will be required to notify businesses and residents at least two weeks in advance, maintain routes for emergency vehicles, and avoid full detours while using temporary lane or shoulder closures and minimized construction stages. He offered to provide two‑week look‑ahead schedules for posting on the town website and to meet in a work session to answer detailed questions.

What happens next: The board invited comments and said planning staff will coordinate with Creighton Manning to arrange follow‑up sessions; design approvals and DOT/DEC agreements are the next steps before right‑of‑way acquisition and bidding.