$26.1M Flood Mitigation Project Gets Underway In Westchester

CORTLANDT, NY — A massive undertaking will help drivers who use some of the Hudson Valley's most traveled highways stay above water when severe weather arrives.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that work has begun on a $26.1 million flood mitigation project along U.S. Route 6/State Route 202 at the Annsville Circle in the Town of Cortlandt.

The project will raise the circle by four feet and a half-mile section of flood-prone U.S. Route 6/State Route 202 by seven feet, creating "a more resilient connection that will be safer and operate more reliably in extreme weather events caused by climate change."

"Last July, dozens of state roads in the Hudson Valley were affected by one of the most intense and devastating storms in years, causing mass flooding and road closures, and overwhelming communities," Hochul said. "Resilient infrastructure is necessary to ensure public safety, and this project in Westchester County exemplifies our commitment to tackle the growing threat of global climate change head on."

This is one of the first NYSDOT projects to use lightweight fill material made from recycled glass. The foamed glass is one of the most environmentally friendly lightweight fill materials available and will be manufactured locally. In addition, the use of this product will reduce the construction schedule by as much as a year.

The project will also use geosynthetic reinforced soil technology to stabilize the edges of the embankment, with layers of materials, such as fabrics, grids, and meshes, to strengthen and hold the soil in place. This type of technology is also used to support bridges, roads, slopes, and other structures that need a stable foundation, including the nearby Popolopen Bridge, which was damaged during last year’s historic flooding. It will save valuable space and also allow for two-way traffic to be maintained during the majority of construction.

"The Town of Cortlandt supports NYS initiative and commitment to rebuild infrastructure in an environmentally conscious way," Town of Cortlandt Supervisor Richard Becker said. "The Annsville Circle is the gateway to northern Westchester County and is a major thoroughfare for thousands of commuters and motorists daily. We look forward to the swift completion of this project and enhancement to coastal flood resiliency.”

The center of the roundabout will be landscaped with native shrubs, and LED street lighting will be installed in the area to improve nighttime safety. New pedestrian crosswalks will also be added to enhance safety, and a shared use path will connect Paddlesports Park with the Jan Peeck Bridge over Annsville Creek, allowing recreational users a passageway to access Annsville Preserve Park and the Hudson River.

An adjacent project along U.S. Route 6/State Route 202 over Putnam Creek is replacing a culvert with a new structure, which is expected to be completed this summer.

"The state’s investments in climate change-related flood mitigation and infrastructure resiliency projects are both timely and necessary, as the frequency of severe, damaging storms increases, greatly impacting our residents and our economy," State Senator Peter Harckham said. "I thank Governor Hochul for quickly initiating the important work on Route 6 at low-lying Annsville Circle and recognize that the state-of-the-art technology and materials being utilized for this project will help address the flooding that plagues this area."

In addition, a grant was recently awarded to fund a future project to further raise the elevation of U.S. Route 6/State Route 202. With this additional funding, efforts will be taken to design and construct a long-term solution for flood mitigation to make this entire section of roadway a more sound and reliable transportation route. A tentative construction schedule for this project will be announced in the near future.

"This flood mitigation project is especially noteworthy," Assemblymember Dana Levenberg said. "Not only will it help us adapt to the increased intensity of storms and flooding in our area due to climate change, it will do so while incorporating environmentally friendly materials produced by workers in the region, using leading-edge practices, and while adhering to complete streets principles. This is exactly the kind of project we need more of all around New York State, and I am proud and grateful that it will be completed right here in Assembly District 95."

SEE ALSO:

• Feds Give $24M To Raise Cortlandt Road 7 Feet
• 2-Year Reconstruction Of Annsville Circle At Route 9 Gets Underway