Update - Serious Safety Concern Persists - No Action Taken


February 22nd, 2014

After written and email correspondence in April and July of 2013, no action has been taken to correct the serious concern of water collecting in the road way of State Route 17 here in Tuxedo.
To refresh, the roadway was altered in late 2012 to repair some surface damage. In doing so, the lowest point of the road is no longer the drain - which was raised - but is rather directly in front of several local businesses, including Tuxedo Park Preferred Properties, Stevens & Sweet, Alpha and Omega Dental, and Turning Headz Salon.
This time of year, the water that is splashed onto the sidewalk not only is an inconvenience to citizens who are not expecting to get soaked, but also is a serious safety concern. Temperatures cause the water on the walkway to freeze, creating a slippery surface. No amount of salt can melt the ice when it is being replaced by drivers splashing the puddle. It is only a matter of time before someone seriously injures themselves.
Furthermore, approximately 40% of the roadway is covered in water. Motor vehicles routinely drive up Route 17 at 40-50 miles per hour. Hitting the water unexpectedly could easily cause a motor vehicle accident.
I have asked them to close the lane until repairs are possible. I will send another round of correspondence, this time to anyone who will listen.
If that is not successful, I will contact the media and local representatives.

-Bill



Small Business & Safety Concern for the New York State Department of Transportation


April 1st, 2013

Dear Mr. Duffy and Mrs. Slater,
Thank you very much for visiting our website to take a look at what is going on. I really appreciate your attention to this matter.
Here are some photos and notes:

04/01/13 - 17:21 - 218 Route 17 Tuxedo NY 10987

Note how the rest of the roadway is already dry. It typically takes 2-3 days after the rain subsides for the water to dry out. I have been sweeping it into the drain but this is obviously not ideal.  


04/01/13 - 17:21 - 218 Route 17 Tuxedo NY 10987

Massive safety concerns on the roadway - notice how vehicles in the right lane have 1/3rd of the roadway obstructed by water. This is obviously more of an issue for larger vehicles – tractors are forced into the water, which then splashes all over my clients and my business entrance.  


04/01/13 - 17:22 - 218 Route 17 Tuxedo NY 10987

This is not a small problem - it encompasses two entire storefronts and an entire building.


04/01/13 - 17:21 - 218 Route 17 Tuxedo NY 10987

The proximate cause of this problem is the simple fact that the storm drain is above the level of the water – it is not at the highway’s lowest point, so the water has nowhere else to go. In June and July of 2012 I brought this issue to the attention of the workers who were maintaining the storm drain, and was told that the issue would be addressed by a future work crew. It was not.

04/01/13 - 17:22 - 218 Route 17 Tuxedo NY 10987

Damage is being done to personal property as a result of the water splashing onto our building.  

Thank you in advance for your help with this issue. It is of great concern to me.


William A. Sweet, CFP ®  

845.351.5657

bill@stevenssweet.com