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Lawmakers press for clarity on delayed Switzer Hill reopening and rising cost estimates
Summary
Committee members said a temporary closure of Switzer Hill has lasted much longer than promised, cited a traffic study submitted to NYSDOT and estimated $7–8 million cost to alter slope/approach; members asked staff for a full report and to distribute it to the full board.
A Physical Services committee member pressed county staff about the long-delayed reopening of Switzer Hill, saying the road was closed temporarily years ago and has not been reopened as promised.
"When we made when we closed that road years ago, it was for a temporary period, not for long term closure," the legislator said, urging the county to decide how to proceed. County engineering/staff replied that a traffic study had been submitted to New York State DOT for consideration and that the estimated scope of work—changing slope and approach to State Route 5—was in the area of "$7,000,000 to $8,000,000." The staff member said DOT review and engineering input would shape next steps and agreed to circulate the engineering response and GPI materials to the full board.
Committee members said costs appear to be escalating and emphasized public-safety concerns if the closure continues; staff committed to distributing the engineering report and to providing an update to the full board.
