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State DOT to replace culvert on Route 202; town warns of summer detours and school‑bus impacts
Summary
The Somers Town Board outlined a State Department of Transportation culvert replacement between Fireman’s Field and Somers Middle School, set to begin July 7 with the DOT estimating about eight weeks; the town urged residents to sign up for Code Red alerts and announced temporary detours and traffic controls to limit impacts on school buses.
The Somers Town Board on June 4 described a State Department of Transportation culvert replacement on Route 202 that town leaders said is a safety priority and will require detours and traffic controls during construction.
Supervisor Rob told the board the project, which the DOT moved from February to the summer to avoid disrupting school bus routes, will run between Fireman’s Field and Somers Middle School. Town officials said the culvert portion is about $6 million and that combined state funding for nearby road work totaled about $15 million in the last year. Construction cannot begin before July 7, 2026, and DOT has assured the town the work will be completed in time for the school year, the supervisor said.
“We explained the culvert repair that’s taking place right between the Fireman’s Field and the Somers Middle School. That culvert needs to be repaired,” Rob said, calling the work “a safety issue.” He urged residents to sign up for Code Red notices and follow posted DOT detours the town will publish on somersny.gov.
Board members pressed the town for schedule details and asked whether the DOT would offer completion incentives or overtime. Rob said the DOT declined requests for extra hours but had assured the town of an on-time finish, and he warned members that any delay could create a “snowball effect” for school scheduling, after‑school programs and bus routing.
Town staff said a task force including the fire department, police, highway, the Somers Central School District and DOT representatives has been meeting to coordinate detours, signage and emergency coverage; the town will hold a working meeting with DOT on June 22 to finalize plans, officials said.
Traffic-control measures approved as add-ons by the board include temporary three‑way stop signs on Lovell Street at Westridge Drive from July 1 through Sept. 15 to slow local traffic as motorists seek alternate routes.
The board also warned that some residents may attempt to use smaller side streets (for example Plumbrook Road) as shortcuts and said it will install signage to discourage heavy commercial vehicles from entering residential streets. Residents were advised to monitor somersny.gov and the town’s social channels for detour maps and Code Red alerts.
