Paul Presutti, a consultant engineer with the Erdman Anthony firm, talks Thursday about a proposed New York State Route 394 highway project. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

LAKEWOOD – Concerned Lakewood residents are getting a better feel for a proposed Route 394 highway project.

Paul Presutti, a consultant engineer with the Erdman Anthony firm along with State Department of Transportation Engineer Robert Schaller spoke to 11 residents about preliminary concepts that are being explored with the two-phase project.

At the meeting there were displays and maps available to show the preliminary layout of the sidewalks along with potential impacts to trees and rights of way in the corridor.

The Route 394 Project (Fairmount Avenue) which runs through the village and the town of Busti, has two phases.

Phase 1, which is currently funded, will include asphalt pavement throughout the project from the bridge west of Ashville Road to McDaniel Avenue; re-configure road striping within the current curb to curb width; minor traffic signal improvements; replace non-compliant curb ramps; and upgrade traffic signage. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025.

Phase two, which is not currently funded, includes a new sidewalk connecting the western edge of Route 394 in the town and village to the existing sidewalk on the northern and southern sides of Route 394. The second phase also calls for short retaining walls along the new sidewalk to limit grading. Construction is anticipated for 2027.

Presutti said the plan calls for the removal of 207 trees, 144 property rights of way adjustments, and utility pole relocations.

“There’s going to be some impacts to create that sidewalk and create that sense of safety. There’s going to be some trees that do have to get taken down,” Presutti said.

Mayor Randy Holcomb, whose property also will be affected by the project, asked if property owners will get reimbursed for any expenses they incur, and Schaller said they would be. Presutti added that the proposed retaining walls would be no taller than three feet.

Schaller added that if the sidewalks are constructed, a new level of safety will be added along the corridor. Because Phase 2 is not funded, Schaller said that a sidewalk could be constructed in sections.

“But that’s kind of why we’re here to gauge you know, what we’re, what the people feel, what they want and what the community wants. And from what we’ve heard, so far, there’s been a lot of support and interest in at least pursuing this to see where it goes,” Schaller said.

William Young, who resides at 4432 Fairmount Ave., who opposes the project, said if the project is approved, he will have no place to park as his garage currently sits about 25 feet from the curb.

“You take part of that away, and I have no place to park,” Young said.

Young added that his neighbors also would experience a similar scenario.

At the recent village board of trustees meeting, the state DOT said, in the statement, that funding has been made available to the state through the Federal Highway Administration. The funding will be administered by the state DOT in the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ). The state DOT will apply for grants through the CMAQ for the project.

There is a survey that was available at the meeting and is also available on the village’s website at lakewoodny.com. A a hard copy of the survey is available at the village hall.

“This brief survey is intended to gauge interest in the support for sidewalks to be extended west along Fairmount Avenue (Route 394). Results will help shape the grant request as well as show a commitment to pedestrian improvements along the Fairmount Avenue corridor. If you are filling out a hard copy of this survey, please return the survey to the Village of Lakewood Clerk’s Office by Jan. 2, 2024,” the website stated.

Here is a link to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MXPN6VT

Village Trustees Richard Fischer and Nancy Jones are not in favor of the sidewalk extension, and cast “no” votes at the recent meeting.