Danielwood patches an issue, no paving plans yet

Q: With all the repaving work being done in the town of Colonie lately, I was wondering if you could find out if there are any plans to repave Danielwood Drive, particularly as it starts from Albany Shaker Road and also as it curves around to the right, to meet Pheasant Ridge Drive.

I drive along that section of Danielwood frequently, and it is the worst pavement I encounter on my typical drives. A friend likens it to “bombed-out downtown Mogadishu,” although I am certain he’s never actually been there. Me, I merely notice that the patches have their own patches on that stretch of (socalled) pavement.

— Bill Pollack, Niskayuna A: There are no immediate plans to repave Danielwood Drive, according to Colonie officials, but they are considering it for 2021.

It was not identified for rehabilitation in the 2020 paving program that ended in November, said John Cunningham, public works commissioner.

Danielwood Drive was last paved in 2008, according to Highway Maintenance Supervisor Tom Romano. There are other streets whose surfaces are even older, he said, but the town will consider repaving Danielwood because multiple people have complained about the surface.

Planning for the 2021 season has not yet started, Romano said, because the town doesn’t know how much money it will have. He said they usually start planning in January.

Q: I am writing because of roadways that reduce from two lanes into one lane at intersections, particularly in Glenville. The light at Route 50 outside of Market 32, for example, has a lane for Market 32 exiting going north on Route 50 that ends shortly after the light.

I have witnessed many “road rage” incidents at this light, with vehicles speeding in the right lane passing northbound traffic in the left lane that then reduces into one lane shortly thereafter.

The same exact problem happens outside the Target in Glenville going south on Route 50. Vehicles speed up and pass others, cutting in front of left lane traffic causing the aforementioned “road rage.”

It is my information and belief that it is illegal to pass on the right in New York state. I have personally witnessed police

vehicles passing on the right to get ahead of those obeying the rules of the road.

— Frank, Glenville A: It is legal for a vehicle in the right lane to pass the vehicle in the left lane in order to merge, according to Sgt. L.J. Borwhat of the Glenville Police

Department.

In other situations, it is illegal for drivers to pass on the right, he said, but this is not one of them.

Problems are created when drivers speed, race each other to be first or do not let others merge, Borwhat continued. If drivers stayed within the speed limit and were courteous, “we would not have these problems.”

“We have all witnessed the aggressive

driving in these situations, and for the people that are in a hurry, just let them go because they can no longer bother you if you let them by,” he said.

Glenville traffic safety officers monitor these areas to try and prevent violations from occurring, Borwhat added.

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