Mayor says state removed crosswalks from repaving plan; DOT now restoring Rosewood crossing

The Ballston Spa mayor told the Village Board on July 1 that safety crosswalks the village had worked for years to secure were removed from a state repaving plan without the village's knowledge and that New York State DOT Region 1 is now arranging subcontractors to restore at least one crossing.

The mayor said DPW working supervisor Scott Kearns first noticed the crosswalk work had not been implemented during repaving by contractor Peckham, and that LaBella Engineering confirmed the crosswalks had been omitted "and told us they did not know why or at whose direction." The mayor said he raised the issue immediately with NYSDOT Region 1 and that Guy Tedesco and DOT staff "moved quickly to help get the Rosewood Crossing back on track." He added the village is "still confirming whether both crosswalks will be included" and pledged to seek a written accounting from DOT of how approved safety features disappeared from the finished plan set.

Why it matters: Trustees and residents described the curve on Church Avenue (State Route 50/67) near Doubleday Woods as dangerous for seniors and said the crosswalks were a long-awaited safety improvement. Residents who spoke during public comment credited the mayor and DPW for pursuing the restoration and said they feared the omission could have delayed life-safety improvements.

The mayor said the village had asked LaBella to fold the crosswalk work into the state's repaving project because the DOT's paving schedule would have reduced the need for the village to do lane closures and ramping work on a risky stretch. He said the result of the omission "risked delaying safety improvements our seniors have waited a long time for" and that the board's priority is to "get these crosswalks built." Trustee and resident speakers who spoke during the meeting asked for more information about the chain of decisions and welcomed DOT's prompt response.

The mayor also said the village will "seek a full written accounting from DOT of how approved safety features disappeared from this project" once onsite work is secured. He thanked DPW working supervisor Scott Kearns, LaBella, Peckham and DOT Region 1 for moving to restore the crossing. The board did not take a formal vote on next steps; the mayor said the physical restoration is the immediate priority.

What's next: The mayor said the village will update the board when DOT confirms whether both crosswalks will be included and that the village will pursue additional safety features on Church Avenue and West High Street after the restored crossing is secured.