New York Construction Report staff writer
Construction will soon begin on an $11.4 million project to reconfigure the intersection of State Route 376 – Raymond Avenue/New Hackensack Road and Hooker Avenue in the Town of Poughkeepsie.
The project will create a modern, single-lane roundabout aimed at enhancing safety and improving traffic flow along this key Dutchess County roadway.
Field preparation, survey, and utility work will begin this spring, with most construction scheduled for the 2024 construction season. Construction will occur in stages, including traffic shifts and alternating one-way traffic with occasional closures. The project is expected to be completed in spring 2025.
The new roundabout will feature native landscaping and design elements that minimize potential conflict points for both motorists and pedestrians, resulting in fewer backups. Additionally, the project includes new crosswalks, sidewalks, and other pedestrian accommodations to improve access to nearby destinations such as Vassar College and Vassar Farms.
Roundabouts are designed to enhance safety and reduce congestion, eliminate the need for electric-powered traffic signals and can reduce the severity of crashes due to slower vehicle speeds.
In the design phase, the New York State Department of Transportation had input from Vassar College and community stakeholders. As a result, the new roundabout will improve access to the college’s pedestrian path, new faculty housing, and Vassar Farm’s new driveway.
To maintain the community’s aesthetics, NYSDOT landscape architects have planned for the planting of 59 native trees and over 600 native perennial plants. NYSDOT also used digital delivery techniques in preparing the project, reducing paper usage and facilitating a more sustainable outcome.
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