As we all know, there are two truck routes that pass through Hudson, entering the city from the south on Worth Avenue and Third Street and converging on Green Street to make their way north. The majority of the trucks that enter the city have no business within our boundaries. They are just passing through. But they compromise our quality of life, and for at least a quarter of a century, they have been a source of consternation for Hudson residents.
 |
| Photo: Bill Huston |
 |
| Photo: Julie Metz |
In April 2019, Assemblymember Didi Barrett secured $100,000 in state funding for Hudson to conduct an origin and destination study toward the end of getting the trucks off the city's streets. Eighteen months later, the study is finally underway. The following message appears on the City of Hudson website:
The City of Hudson is working with MJ Engineering & Land Surveying (MJ) to perform a destination and origin study for trucks traveling through Hudson. . . . The study will collect data and propose alternative truck routes. Using the study, the City of Hudson will then work with surrounding towns, Columbia County, New York State, and a variety of stakeholders to build consensus for modification and improvement of the truck route. . . .
In October, MJ will be collecting data in Hudson to provide a clear overall picture of the truck traffic moving through the city, including numbers, entering point, exit point, and route. The data will be summarized and presented to city officials and the public for comment.
Based on the data, public comment, and roadway characteristics, MJ will prioritize possible alternate routes on existing roadways. The alternate routes will be presented for public comment and further refined based on feedback.
Phase 1 of the project will conclude with a final report that includes alternate routes, maps, comparison and rankings, potential improvements for preferred routes, short to medium-term mitigation treatments, order of magnitude costs for each preferred route, and comprehensive data. Future phases will include engaging with neighboring municipalities, the New York State Department of Transportation, and New York State to adopt preferred alternate routes. . . .
The entire statement can be read here. Comments about the study can be emailed to mayor's aide Michael Chameides mayoralaide@cityofhudson.org.
Alternative routes to the present route thru Hudson? Seems to me there is only one: If passing-thru trucks are to be completely kept out of Hudson, including Worth ave/rte 9, trucks coming from the bridge will have to stay east on 23/9, then head north on 23 at the Hannaford intersection. At the intersection in Claverack, trucks then can get on 23B and head west to Fairview, east on 23 or continue north on 9H. Same route, in reverse for those headed to the bridge. It will add several miles to truck travel, but what other routes are is viable? Expect fierce opposition from any town impacted by a new route, as well as possibly even the county highway dept if not DOT itself.
ReplyDeleteB HUSTON
If an alternative route is found, how will we know that trucks entering the city are making deliveries and not just passing thru? Have the police follow them? Have a truck check-in station at the three entry points of town where drivers have to reveal their destination? The truck weight limit off the route is 5 tons, do we need to weigh trucks as they enter?
ReplyDeleteI was walking down 3rd Street last week and a HUGE truck rolled by and hit a pothole. The whole road shook like we were having an earthquake! What damage must this be doing to all the homes along the route?
ReplyDeleteA friend's house on Columbia Street literally shakes when a full Colarusso gravel truck rumbles by and hits a pothole or bump in the road just right, as the driver speeds to make the short green light. All of them, but especially those that are starting from a stop at the light at 3rd, are so incredibly loud. They are toxic in so many ways. We all deserve better, it really is an insult and unfair. B Huston
DeleteIt's like living on a tracking site, literally dozens of mini earthquakes shake my house daily. Engine brakes and high speeds create thunder and strong rumbling that you can feel in the floors and furniture, from around 4:30 am.
ReplyDelete