State DOT Sets Public Hearing On Closure Of Verona Rail Crossing

ALBANY, NY (06/24/2013)(readMedia)-- The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, July 10, in Verona, Oneida County, beginning at 10 a.m. regarding a proposal to close the Sand Hill Road at-grade rail crossing in Verona. NYSDOT Chief Administrative Law Judge Robert A. Rybak will preside over the hearing, which will be held at Verona Town Hall, 6600 Germany Road, Durhamville, N.Y., 13054.

NYSDOT is proposing the closure and elimination of a redundant highway at-grade rail crossing on Sand Hill Road in the Town of Verona. The road crosses over the Chicago mainline of CSX Transportation, Inc. This rail line is among the busiest in the State, carrying up to 60 freight and Amtrak passenger trains a day.

A grade-separated rail crossing (overpass) at Randel Road, County Route 48 is located immediately to the west of Sand Hill Road. NYSDOT is proposing to rehabilitate the Randel Road overpass bridge, prior to closing the Sand Hill Road grade crossing, and to make minor improvements to Kotary Road to safely accommodate the additional traffic resulting from the Sand Hill Road crossing closure. The closure and upgrades to the Randel Road overpass and Kotary Road will improve safety and traffic mobility in the area.

This hearing will establish a record and enable a determination as to whether the closure of the Sand Hill Road crossing is in the public interest.

Please contact the Office of Proceedings (518-457-1182) if a sign language interpreter, an assistive listening system or any other accommodations will be required to facilitate participation in this hearing.

Parties who wish to receive a copy of the final report issued in this case must send a written request to the Office of Proceedings, NYSDOT, 50 Wolf Road, Albany, New York 12232.

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