The New York State Department of Transportation has announced the construction of a $4.5-million project to convert the intersection of Routes 9G and 23 in the town of Greenport into a pedestrian-friendly roundabout.
The roundabout will have parking and sidewalk access to the Hudson River Skywalk, a scenic pedestrian trail linking two historic sites across the Hudson River.
The project will make it easier to access the Olana State Historic Site in Hudson, Columbia County, and the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill, Greene County.
The new roundabout will reduce vehicle queuing and enhance traffic safety by reducing the number of conflict points at the intersection of Routes 9G and 23. It also will eliminate crossing maneuvers there and at the approach to the Rip Van Winkle Bridge between Columbia and Greene counties.
The project will create 25 parking spaces at the east side of the roundabout. Sidewalks from the parking lot will lead visitors to the northern entrance to Olana and to the Hudson River Skywalk. The DOT is partnering with the New York State Bridge Authority, Olana, and the Thomas Cole National Historic Site on the transportation and tourism initiative.
The roundabout and parking lot are scheduled to open this fall and the project will be substantially complete by the year’s end. Landscaping will be completed next spring.
Work on the intersection is set to begin this month.
