Broadway trees taken down, will be replaced
Dozens of trees have been removed from a section of Broadway in Midtown as part of the city’s project to revitalize the corridor, but more than 70 new ones will be planted, city officials said.
“Work has begun for the Broadway Streetscape project, the city’s biggest investment in infrastructure in Kingston’s history,” the city posted on its Facebook page Wednesday. “This project has been in the works for years and will completely transform Midtown, starting at one of the gateways into Kingston — revitalizing Broadway from East St. James Street to Grand Street.
“Not only will this muchused corridor be safer for all who travel there, more environmentally friendly with green infrastructure, new street trees and hundreds of plants, it will also be more attractive,” the post stated. “Though trees were removed this week, the Broadway Streetscape project includes the planting of 76 new healthy street trees that are appropriate for the environment and will not heave sidewalks.”
Mayor Steve Noble said in an email Wednesday afternoon that the tree removals are complete.
“There were about 72 trees removed, some of which were already dead,” the mayor said, adding that in addition to the 76 new street trees that will be planted, the project will include the addition of 235 shrubs and 1,470 other plants.
The Broadway Streetscape project is designed to improve the infrastructure of the corridor from the intersection with Albany Avenue and Col. Chandler Drive to within 50 feet of Grand Street, where a separate city project is expected to realign the intersection there.
The streetscape project calls for Broadway to be reduced from four traffic lanes to two in the project area, with a third lane strictly for vehicles that are turning. The entire road will be repaved, and traffic lights will be synchronized.
Two lanes of traffic will be open at all times during the construction, the city’s Facebook post said.
The project also is to include sidewalks that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and amenities such as benches, recycling containers and bus stops, as well as a dedicated twoway bicycle lane and bike racks.
It also will include “green” infrastructure elements, such as bioswales and landscaped drainage areas.
On-street parking in the project area is expected to be reduced by 25 spaces to make way for crosswalks, bus stops, loading zones and bike lane visibility.
The total cost of the project, including the design and construction, is to be about $9.1 million. More than $5.4 million will be reimbursed by grants.
Much of the project’s cost is for a $7.4 million construction contract with Peter Luizzi & Bros Contracting of Albany.
The project is to be completed by July 15, 2021, a city consultant has said.