A stone wall along West Main Street in the Village of Wappingers Falls was damaged during a 2020 construction project.
The adjacent sidewalk has been closed ever since.
New York State Senator Rob Rolison’s Office said Rolison and New York State Attorney General Letitia James are moving forward with repairs. However, the timeline is still unknown.
Rolison, the Republican representing District 39, sent a letter to James on April 27 requesting an update and expedition to resolve ongoing litigation which he said has tied up repairs.
In the letter, Rolison said the sidewalk closure has created “a significant public safety risk in a heavily trafficked area,” and he’s looking for a status update on the lawsuit, anticipated next steps and a timeline for moving the case forward.
The Attorney General’s Office is representing the NYS Department of Transportation in these legal proceedings suing the Village of Wappingers Falls, Carmel-based Con-Tech Construction Technology and Central Hudson.
The lawsuit, filed June 4, 2024, states the sidewalk along state Route 9D in the village is property owned by the NYSDOT. However, the state is claiming sidewalk maintenance is the Village’s responsibility.
What happened to Wappingers Falls sidewalk
Back in 2020, the village contracted Con-Tech to repair and/or replace the sidewalk, but while in the process of doing so on or about Aug. 11, 2020, Con-Tech damaged a gas main beneath the sidewalk in front of 2678 West Main St. in Wappingers Falls. The gas main was owned by Central Hudson.
Central Hudson came out to fix the line on Sept. 1, 2020, and the retaining wall next to the sidewalk partially collapsed and failed.
This retaining wall provides support and stability to the sidewalk and Route 9D, according to the lawsuit, and the sidewalk cannot be safely or properly repaired until the retaining wall is repaired or replaced.
As a result, the sidewalk has remained closed and the state is asking for $1,623,605.07 plus interest from the village, Con-Tech and Central Hudson.
Calls for ‘prompt repair’ of sidewalk along Route 9D
The village and Con-Tech did not respond to a request for comment.
Central Hudson Director of Media Relations Joe Jenkins said in an email statement May 11 the utility is “deeply committed to reaching a resolution that enables the prompt repair of the damaged sidewalk along Route 9D in Wappingers Falls.”
“Leaving this section of sidewalk unrepaired presents a significant concern for the community,” Jenkins said.
Although Central Hudson would not comment on the pending legal matters, the company will “remain ready and willing to participate in productive discussions with all involved parties to achieve a practical, timely outcome to an issue that has gone unresolved for far too long,” Jenkins said.
Almost six years after the damage occurred, with “no meaningful progress,” Rolison said, to rebuild the wall or restore the pathway in a safe, accessible manner, he emphasized the urgency of resolving this “to prevent a potential tragedy.”
Since he took office in January 2023, Rolison said he has engaged in discussions with stakeholders, previously sent correspondence and continues to hear from constituents, businesses and those who travel through the village who are “frustrated by the lack of progress.”
He concluded in the letter his office “stands ready” to assist the Attorney General’s Office to proceed with a resolution, committing to advocate for timely repairs.
Nickie Hayes is Breaking & Trending News Reporter for the Poughkeepsie Journal. See her most recent articles here. Contact reporter Nickie Hayes: NHayes@poughkee.gannett.com, 845-863-3518 and @nickieehayess on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Repairs may be coming to Wappingers sidewalk, closed since 2020
Reporting by Nickie Hayes, Poughkeepsie Journal / Poughkeepsie Journal
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