Walk/don’t walk sign stopped in its tracks

PINE PLAINS — The proposed walk/don’t walk sign for the intersection of routes 82 and 199 the state Department of Transportation (DOT) said was moving forward in May looks like it’s come to a halt, according to town Supervisor Gregg Pulver. “We’ve got a deal working out with the DOT regarding the pedestrian indicating sign,” Pulver said, after the issue was raised at the Thursday, May 19, Town Board meeting. “They’re not going to put it in.”The change in direction is a result of many factors: a letter-writing campaign undertaken by the many unhappy Pine Plains residents who sent their protests to the DOT and their legislators; behind-the-scenes maneuvering by Pulver and Councilman George Keeler; and assistance from Assemblyman Marcus Molinaro and Sen. Greg Ball.There already exists at that intersection a red, green and yellow traffic light, which the Town Board believes is sufficient. Others have suggested alternative solutions like making the entire intersection “no right on red,” which would take care of anybody getting hit while crossing with a green light. The general consensus has been that adding a walk/don’t walk sign is unwarranted.The Town Board passed a resolution at the May 19 meeting stating as much. The resolution states the board understands the traffic signal was a safety enhancement proposed by the DOT, but at this stage the town of Pine Plains feels it is unnecessary.“That way the DOT feels, it absolves them [of any responsibility] and we feel it protects this town from something that doesn’t make any sense whatsoever,” Pulver said. The DOT had proposed installing the flashing sign to help pedestrians safely cross at the main intersection in town; it would have needed to commandeer part of the town park as a cut out for a large part of the sign’s installation. The idea was first proposed by the DOT in the summer of 2009 and has resurfaced periodically during the past couple of years to the dismay of the board and town residents. One reason why there has been so much aversion to the project is the cost; the price tag for the walk/don’t walk signal is estimated at $150,000. According to the DOT, that bill would have been paid for through a state-dedicated fund. The very concept had many seeing red.“The state is broke, and it’s been broke. There are billions of dollars in deficits,” said Keeler last month, when trying to dissuade the DOT from moving ahead with the idea. “There are much more worthy projects than this.”Pulver agreed, and said that Molinaro and Ball, who serves on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Savings and Government Efficiency (SAGE) Commission, also wanted to curtail government waste.“He was able to aid us in that,” Pulver said of the senator. “In this day and age it’s all about dollars and cents, and this project did not make sense to do it that way.”While the DOT has not officially announced its plans to pull out from the project just yet, Pulver said he’s confident that announcement is just around the corner. In the meantime, he said it was encouraging to see the process work and result in what he believes will be a successful solution.“We’re very happy with getting the resolution passed and sent on the DOT, and now we’re waiting for the official word,” he said. “But I’m very confident. All the letters people in the town of Pine Plains sent to the DOT — I know that had an impact.”