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Bumpy rides will persist on some city streets until weather warms up

By Howard B. Owens

People driving their cars like a smooth ride, and right now they're not getting it on River Street.

The intersection of South Main and River was damaged when a water line broke there over the winter and crews dug deep holes to find the leak and make repairs.

The holes were patched, but the surface remains lumpy and uneven.

So people have been complaining -- The Batavian has received e-mails. People want to know why, six weeks later, the street is still in the condition it's in.

"We're well aware of the problem and we're evaluating the condition all the streets are in," said City Manager Jason Molino.

River and Main won't be the only streets that need some resurfacing and the city will prioritize  road work for the spring and summer, but right now, it's too soon to even start. The ground is still unthawing and roadways are still settling.

"The weather is still subfreezing and we're not going to be able to do anything until the weather warms up," Molino said.

Even if they were ready, there's no asphalt to be had for such a project.

"The City cannot do road improvements until the asphalt plants are open and the weather is warmer," Molino said. "Once asphalt becomes available and we have warmer temperatures, we will be making road improvements. Asphalt plants usually open around mid-April."

Brian Graz

Hmmmmmmmmmmm... well somehow a noticeable improvement was just made to the lumpy, bumpy, sinkholes in the S Main & River St intersection. And it sure looks like asphalt that was used.... ? In fact I was one of those people who emailed the Batavian complaining about the deplorable condition the intersection was left in. I certainly understand that in the extreme cold and snow that we had this winter, to expect a finished surface repair was not reasonable. But the mess that was left behind was not reasonable either. It could have been temporarily patched much better than it was. I'd say the improvement made since the past weekend proves that.

This scenario leads me to the ongoing terrible and declining condition the city streets are in, while city council debates and passes measures to spend money on several other areas that should not be given priority. Essential needs such as infrastructure, should absolutely come before VB, BDC, neutering stray cats, hanging plants and shrubs in the middle of main street, etc. And since I'm on a roll, I want to point out how so many of the city streets that have been resurfaced in recent years are done so sloppily. The best example of that brings me back to River Street. When River Street was resurfaced 4-5 years ago [maybe longer?] the manholes covers ended up being recessed 3-4" and they were left that way until the present. Driving down River Street has to be maneuvered like a slalom or it's like hitting potholes one after another the entire length. I for one don't feel we are getting the best service for the taxpayer money spent.

Mar 31, 2015, 8:53pm Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

Brian. I totally agree with the 2nd paragraph of your comment.
Infrastructure should come before so much of the 'crap' (my word for the fru-fru that taxpayers end up paying for).

Yes. Most people like to see flower-lined streets. But, until you can afford it, projects like that should be placed on the back-burner. Instead of spending, say, $1,000/year for flowers, put that thousand into an account UNTIL you fix the underpinnings of what is truly needed.

Now, if some private group feels the need to spend THEIR money on the fru-fru, more power to them. It's THEIR money, and I'd be the last to tell them how to spend THEIR money. But, when it comes to taxpayers money, if you can't afford to, say, fix a bridge because it's cost-prohibitive at the moment, then don't just take some from here & there to do fru-fru stuff. SAVE UP all the fru-fru money UNTIL you fix the important things.

I'd give you 2 thumbs up if possible, Brian, but, alas, the site doesn't allow that. So, here's one.

Mar 31, 2015, 10:45pm Permalink
Jim Turman

I live on South Main St. and the entire lenth from River to the Round-about is like driving down a mine field. Holes ever where. Last summer some repairs were attempted by the city but the results were a joke and total waste of money. The city needs to set their priorities in order. The property owners in this city that pay tax's to live here are getting screwed over by the people that run the city. The city needs to start taking care of the people that keep this city up and running, and that's the people that chose to live here. I don't need to look at flowers on main st. I don't need a bench to sit on downtown. City of Batavia, Get your busines in order and do whats right for your residence. Batavia is a great place to live and raise a family but we need to take care of what we have to keep it a great place to live.

Apr 1, 2015, 11:09am Permalink
Steve Ognibene

Try and drive down Gateway drive with a school bus, max speed is 5-10 mph on the north end of it. There is even warning signs posted at each end of the street. If you think south main is bad, it's nothing compared to this street.

Apr 1, 2015, 7:33pm Permalink

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