38°
In a petition, residents ask Cuomo to "remedy the deteriorated, dangerous road surface of Interstate-684 in the heart of our community."
"Eight lanes of rough concrete (including Saw Mill River Parkway lanes) have not been asphalted in 47 years, since their construction in 1969," the petition says.
The letter calls out the "noisy roar generated by vehicles running on the highway’s severely pitted surface," charging it "profoundly and negatively affects the quality of life and property values of hundreds of Katonah families."
In addition, locals worry that the "degraded, unrepaired" road is danger and brings an added risk of accidents, according to the petition.
Of particular noise concern to residents are the "multi-lane surfaces between Harris Road and Exit 6 of 684" which the letter states has been "measured at 80 decibels and above."
The push began in August with an online campaign from hamlet civic group Katonah Village Improvement Society (KVIS), and was renewed on Friday with Facebook posts by the Katonah Chamber of Commerce, as reported in Daily Voice.
In a YouTube video posted in August, KVIS President Thom Hagen made a point about I-684's condition when he tried to speak at the local overpass. The roaring traffic drowned out Hagen's voice, as it was barely audible. However, the video includes captions to assist viewers.
Hagen, in the video, urged residents to contact Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office and that of the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) which is responsible for the expressway's upkeep, which he charged has not been done in a long time.
“New York has neglected this 1½ miles of 684 for nearly 50 years, resulting in a deteriorated roadbed both unsafe for drivers and unbearably loud for residents and visitors," Hagen stated.
Hagen said that the Katonah stretch, which is from Harris Road to the Route 35 overpass, is just 1,000 feet from a national historic district, houses of worship and residences.
Nearby stretches of I-684 were repaved earlier this year as part of an ongoing project.
Click here for the petition.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Bedford and receive free news updates.
