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Greenburgh public works outlines plan to connect North Washington sidewalks after rock outcrop survey
Summary
Public works Commissioner Rich Fawn told the board that a geotechnical survey identified a rock outcrop on North Washington Avenue but concluded drilling-and-peeling with on-site geotechnical monitoring could allow the sidewalk connection. The town plans to bid engineering and construction work and will coordinate with the housing authority about property access and potential impacts.
Commissioner of Public Works Rich Fawn told the Greenburgh Town Board that a recent geotechnical survey found a rock outcropping blocking a continuous sidewalk on North Washington Avenue but that engineers believe the connection can be completed with careful, monitored work.
"We hired a geotechnical engineer. They went out, and they surveyed the area. They've come back with this report," Fawn said, describing a process of "drilling and peeling" the rock and having an engineer on site to monitor the work. He said the approach would avoid blasting and that "they feel that there wouldn't be any harm to the buildings behind it." Fawn added there are some loose boulders to remove and different mitigation measures — netting, drilling and bolting — that can be used if issues arise during construction.
Board members pressed for schedule and cost details and asked about coordination with other street‑work projects. Fawn said East Irvington sidewalks are advancing to bid this summer and estimated the North Washington project at roughly $500,000–$600,000. He said the town will advertise for engineering services and then construction, and that bid documents will include contingencies to address unpredictable conditions revealed during excavation.
Several members noted limited capital funds and asked whether repaving planned elsewhere should be postponed if the sidewalk work must follow shortly afterward. Fawn responded that capital funds are often allocated to general "pedestrian safety projects" rather than single line-items, so money not used on one project can be reallocated to the next. He also recommended early outreach to the housing authority because some of the work could extend onto housing authority property.
The board agreed to begin outreach and to return with a procurement timeline and cost estimates. The session ended without a formal vote; staff said they would prepare bid documents and a schedule for a future board meeting.
The board’s next steps are to meet with the housing authority, finalize engineering bid specifications and confirm funding availability before putting construction out to bid.
