Politics & Government
Mayor's Desk: Highway Construction, Holidays and Remembering a Friend
A weekly column from Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh.
You may think of Valentine’s Day and the Presidents’ Day sales, but please also be aware that, due to holidays, there are changes to the sanitation schedules this month. Friday, Feb. 11, is Lincoln’s birthday, a holiday, so the Thursday pickups will be done on Wednesday, Feb. 9, and the Friday pickups will be done on Thursday Feb. 10th. No bulk trash pick-up that week.
Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day – has no effect on town services, but there are those who suggest you should not forget that date.
The next holiday is Monday, Feb. 21. That does affect Sanitation. That week the Monday pick-ups will be done on Tuesday, Feb. 22, and the Tuesday pickups will be done on Wednesday, Feb. 23. No bulk trash pick-up that week.
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The work currently being done on Interstate 287 (I-287) is Phase IV of that project, the last phase. As you undoubtedly have noticed, it began several years ago at the Tappan Zee Bridge, and will end with the re-construction of the Anderson Hill Road Bridge. The final completion date is expected to be toward the end of 2012.
What is important to us? (1) Changes of driving patterns, and (2) restoration of trees and shrubs.
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- Traffic patterns.
The most important changes are the diversion of traffic from the intersections on either side of the White Plains Avenue Bridge, and the creation of a new roadway, adjacent to the current I-287 roadbed, which will be called New Westchester Avenue. The current Westchester Avenue becomes Old Westchester Avenue.
Eastbound: Going East, coming out of White Plains, the traffic will go under the White Plains Ave Bridge, onto New Westchester Avenue, east-bound. You will then merge left onto I-287, or bear right and take the up-ramp onto the Anderson Hill Road Bridge, then go into Purchase or curve back onto Old Westchester Avenue, west-bound, toward White Plains Avenue into West Harrison.
Traffic exiting east-bound I-287 by way of Exit 8E will go up a ramp to Old Westchester Avenue east-bound, then cross over the White Plains Ave Bridge into West Harrison, go right onto North Street, or continue east on New Westchester Avenue.
From the West Harrison/Lower Purchase area streets, if you wish to go onto I-287 east, you cross the White Plains Avenue Bridge, go east (left) on Old Westchester Avenue, east-bound, and enter onto I-287 near Kenilworth Road.
Westbound: Going west, the traffic exiting I-287 by way of Exit 8 and going into White Plains will go under the White Plains Avenue Bridge on New Westchester Ave then go up a ramp to join Old Westchester Avenue just past the Columbus Avenue bypass. West Harrison traffic will use the right-hand lane of Exit 8 and go up to the traffic light at the White Plains Avenue intersection. This is expected to reduce traffic at that intersection by more than 2,500 vehicles per day.
The other improvements on the West side of the Bridge have been completed, and will not be changed. Trees and shrubs have yet to be planted, but I am assured that this will be done in the fall.
Victories: We won two significant victories during the course of Phase III, the work on the west side of the White Plains Avenue Bridge. Initially, it had been planned that, adjacent to what will become Old Westchester Avenue, a 20-foot high concrete wall was to be erected right next to the backyards of the homes on Locust Avenue. This was defeated by neighborhood opposition, and replaced with the cedar fence that is now there. The second victory was the retention of the curved bypass onto Westchester Avenue from the intersection of Columbus Ave/Underhill Ave/Locust Ave. I attended many meetings where this was discussed. First it was there, and then it was gone, over and over again. Because I am stubborn, and vocal, we were able to keep this bypass. Victory was sweet.
2. Trees and Shrubs
I don’t have the planting plan for Phase III, the area west of the White Plains Avenue Bridge, but will have it by next week and will share it with you then.
In this last phase, number IV, the planting plan calls for 438 deciduous trees, 184 evergreen trees, 501 shrubs and 42 evergreen shrubs. I will list only some of the types of trees and shrubs: 48 tulip trees – single trunk trees which grow to 50 feet; 22 Sycamore trees which have multi-trunks, dense foliage, and are quick growers, reaching 25 feet in 10 years and 50 feet at maturity; 28 Pin Oaks, again single trunk and grow to 50 feet. There are 71 Dogwood, and 36 Shadblow Serviceberry, which are multi-trunk, 20 feet high 10 feet wide and have stunning fall foliage. Space does not allow me to list all the species of trees and shrubs, but there is a wide variety of shapes, heights and foliage colors. The intent certainly seems to be to reduce the visual impact of I-287 and of White Plains, as well as the noise. In particular, there is a very dense planting plan for the exit onto Anderson Hill Road. Most trees will be at roadside, with shrubs near the tops of the grades, and wildflowers planted on the hills, which are areas which will be mowed.
Come See a Map of These Improvements.I do have a color map of this work, and will post in the Senior/Community Center in West Harrison from Feb. 10 to 16, and then it will be in the lobby of the Harrison Municipal Building for another week.
Death of Eleanor Aletti Kline, age 91Eleanor Kline worked for the Town of Harrison for more than 70 years, maybe 73, depending on how you counted, coming to the Municipal Building every day until six months ago when she moved into the Osborn. Her highest title was Deputy Superintendent of Highways, although in later years she turned her hand to just about anything.
She was feisty, tireless, kind – a wonderful person. She will be missed.