$11.4M traffic circle coming
Work to start on single-lane Poughkeepsie roundabout at intersection of state Route 376 and Hooker Avenue
POUGHKEEPSIE — Work will soon begin on an $11.4 million project to build a roundabout and smooth the flow between traffic and pedestrians at an intersection of Route 376 in the town of Poughkeepsie.
The state Department of Transportation will reconfigure the intersection near Vassar College where the state road, also known as Raymond Avenue/new Hackensack Road, intersects with Hooker Avenue to create a modern, single-lane roundabout. The new roundabout design aims to reduce potential conflict points for pedestrians and motorists and alleviate jams. New crosswalks, sidewalks and other pedestrian accommodations are included in the plans, according to a news release from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office.
During the planning process, the DOT sought input from Vassar College officials and community stakeholders. According to the release, that feedback resulted in a design that will improve access to the college’s pedestrian path, new faculty housing and Vassar Farm’s new driveway.
“This is great news for Poughkeepsie, bringing our state tax dollars back home to work for us,” Poughkeepsie Supervisor Rebecca Edwards said.
The roads that feed into the Route 376 intersection are considered high-crash corridors, according to the Dutchess County Transportation Council’s road safety database. The council’s Moving Dutchess Forward initiative has compiled data on crashes and other transportation-related concerns to help the county develop a long-range transportation plan. The crash data was sourced from the most recent information available from the DOT over five years (2015-2019) and considered high-crash corridors, segments and intersections.
“That intersection experiences many
accidents, and the traffic circle will keep cars moving, make the area more walkable, and increase safety for both drivers and pedestrians,” Edwards said.
Field preparation, survey and utility work will begin this spring. Most of the project will be built during the 2024 construction season and will proceed in stages. It will include traffic shifts and alternating one-way traffic with periodic closures, the state announced. It’s expected to be completed by spring 2025.
The project is part of the DOT’S “Complete Streets” initiative that considers the needs of pedestrians of all ages and abilities, bicyclists, public transportation riders and motorists. Complete Street designs are also meant to contribute to a cleaner and more environmentally friendly transportation system, according to DOT.
New landscaping also will be part of the project, the state announced. It will include 59 native trees and more than 600 native perennial plants.
“New York state continues to lead the way in reimagining our infrastructure to create a sustainable transportation network that better connects communities and gets people where they need to go safely,” Hochul said in a statement. “Roundabouts are more efficient, better for the environment, and improve safety and mobility for motorists and pedestrians alike as they travel through busy locations.”