Committee backs spending for Hurley Ave. work
City lawmakers are considering a request to spend $26,000 on design and related expenses for a project to repave Hurley Avenue from Washington Avenue to the town of Ulster line.
During a meeting of the Common Council’s Finance and Audit Committee on Wednesday, city Engineer Ralph Swenson said Kingston was awarded federal highway grant money to repave Hurley Avenue, as well as related work under the Complete Streets Project. He said the city was awarded $451,639 in federal aid for the projec through the Ulster County Transportation Council’s Transportation Improvement Program and must provide a $112,910 local match.
“The project will consist of paving and it will consist of installation of [handicapped-]accessible ramps at all cross streets,” Swenson told the committee. He said the project also could include the addition of a bicycle lane.
Swenson said there is plenty of room for a bicycle lane at the end of Hurley Avenue near Washington Avenue but that the city might need to consider using part of the shoulder along other sections of the road or adding pavement.
Swenson asked the Finance and Audit Committee to authorize spending $26,000 to pay for the de-
sign of the overall project, as well as right-of-way incidental work. He also asked the committee to authorize the mayor to enter into an agreement with the state Department of Transportation for that work and to declare the Common Council lead agency in the review of the project.
Some of the $26,000 would be reimbursed to the city, Swenson said. He said the city is required to put $5,200 toward the design work.
The spending proposal still must go to the full Common Council for a vote next month.
Swenson said the design work is necessary to ensure the city remains within its right of way on the road. He said that means a survey would need to be done of the portion of Hurley Avenue that is within city limits.
When repaving Hurley Avenue, the city also would consider other projects that could be done in that area, Swenson said. He said that includes a possible drainage project in the area of Apple Street.