As work continues on Phase 1 of the $64.1 million Hornell Gateway Corridor on state Route 36, the city’s Industrial Development Agency is finalizing plans for a brand new street that will further complement the project.
The short street will connect Route 36 to Shawmut Drive, passing by the new Real Clean Car Wash at 215 Hornell St.
“It goes from 36 down to Shawmut Drive and intersects Hornell Street,” said IDA executive director Mike Nisbet. “It opens up Hornell Street so you can actually come out Hornell Street Extension on 36 or go the other way to Shawmut Drive, going right by the car wash. You can actually go into the car wash from either one of those places, from 36 or from Shawmut Drive and Thacher Street.”
The project has been in the works for several years. Real Clean freed up land for the street with support from owner Dustin Broderick, allowing the linkup with Maple City Drive to go forward.
As Alstom ramps up production at its new car shell manufacturing facility, the connection to Route 36 will keep heavy truck traffic off residential streets in the area while boosting access to the industrial park for local manufacturers.
“For Alstom and any manufacturer there, it makes it much easier to bring parts in and out or move car shells,” Nisbet said.
Michael Fucci Memorial Park at Shawmut will also benefit from easier access.
The IDA went over preliminary drawings this week, and while there’s a few tweaks to make, the organization is hoping construction of the new street could begin “within the next couple months.”
No contract has been signed, but the IDA has been in talks with Union Concrete, which is currently working on the Route 36 project and could quickly pivot to tackling the new street.
“It certainly does make it more advantageous because they’re on the project and already there,” Nisbet said.
The IDA has decided to press on with the project despite some uncertainty surrounding a federal grant application. The agency applied for a $250,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission that has yet to be approved. The total budget for the new street is around $980,000.
Any delay could balloon the final price tag.
“We’re absolutely moving forward,” Nisbet said. “If the grant fits in, that’s great, but if it doesn’t we have to move forward. It may come in time, it may work in parallel, but we’re not holding up the project for it.”
The IDA intends to finalize the design plans and secure a contract for the work. The city will ultimately decide the name of the new street.
This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Hornell IDA targets 2026 construction of new street off Route 36
Reporting by Chris Potter, Hornell Evening Tribune / The Evening Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Chris Potter, Hornell Evening Tribune | USA TODAY Network
