RyeCity REVIEW THE
April 23, 2021 | Vol. 9, Number 14 | www.ryecityreview.com
DOT begins resurfacing projects in Westchester
Splash Down! The Rye football team celebrates a win over rival Harrison on April 17. The Garnets won the 93rd installment of “The Game” 21-13 and lead the all-time series 48-42-3. For story, see page 16.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez announced on Thursday, April 15 that work is getting underway on a $15.7 million project to resurface sections of four key roadways in Westchester County. The project will enhance safety and improve travel conditions on 11.5 miles of roadways that provide access to some of the county’s busiest villages and town centers, as well as the Westchester County Airport and Interstate 287. Roadways to be resurfaced include State Route 9 in the villages of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, State Route 22 and State Route 433 in the town of North Castle, and State Route 120 in the village of Harrison and town Photo/Mike Smith of North Castle. “As New York State recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic and more of our economy reopens, it’s imperative that we keep investing in our roads and bridges cations throughout the year. Ad- to ensure they are ready to meet ditionally, DEF accepts medica- the demands of the 21st Centutions by appointment on the first ry,” Dominguez said. “This projTuesday of each month at the ect will enhance safety and imH-MRF. For more information prove driving conditions on some or to schedule an appointment, of the most important roadways visit https://environment.west- in Westchester County, facilitatchestergov.com/facilities/h-mrf ing the smooth flow of people or contact the Recycling Help- and goods for many years to Line at 813-5425 or 211. come.” The county also has installed While preliminary work has locked and secured collection already begun, resurfacing of the boxes at 38 police department roadways will begin in July and headquarters throughout West- employ the use of a reinforced chester, where medications can asphalt overlay, which is a stronbe dropped off (most are avail- ger and longer-lasting material able 24 hours a day/7 days a than the existing surface. The week). For more information, project will also repair or upvisit https://environment.west- grade shoulders, guide rails, bachestergov.com/residents/recy- sins, gutters and curb ramps. cling-guidelines/medications. Traffic signals will also be updat(Submitted) ed to enhance vehicle flow. Consistent with Gov. Cuomo’s Drivers First initiative, the project has been planned to minimize impacts to traffic and adjacent communities. Paving operations will occur between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. with periodic nighttime
County to participate in National Drug Take-Back Day On April 24, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Westchester County’s Department of Environmental Facilities, DEF, will provide residents with the opportunity to dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications at the Household Hazardous-Material Recovery Facility, H-MRF, in Valhalla by appointment from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents must wear masks and can drive through and drop off their medications, which should be in their original containers, if possible, or placed inside sealed plastic bags. The H-MRF is located on the county’s Valhalla Campus at 15 Woods Road in Valhalla. Safely disposing of unused or
expired pills, liquid medications and ointments keeps them from being misused and keeps people and pets safe from accidental poisoning. To protect our drinking water, rivers, streams and aquatic life, never flush medications. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows year after year, that the majority of misused and abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including someone else’s medication being stolen from a home medicine cabinet.
In 2020, DEF collected and safely disposed of 5,954 pounds of prescription and over-thecounter medications through collection events at the H-MRF. Last fall, Americans turned in nearly 493 tons (985,392 pounds) of unused or expired prescription drugs and vape devices at nearly 4,600 sites operated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, USDEA, and nearly 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, since 2010, USDEA and its partners have taken in nearly 13.7 million pounds of pills and liquid medicine. Residents who cannot make it to the DEF event on April 24 can safely dispose of their unwanted medications at many convenient police department drop-off lo-
road closures. The project is expected to be complete by late 2021. The paving projects include: State Route 9 from State Route 119 in the village of Tarrytown to College Avenue in the village of Sleepy Hollow. State Route 22 from Route 120 to Middle Patent Road in the town of North Castle State Route 433 from the Connecticut state line to State Route 22 in the town of North Castle State Route 120 from Lake Street in the village of Harrison to the Greenwich American Centre in the town of North Castle State Route 120 from Westchester Avenue to Westerleigh Road in the village of Harrison “I am so pleased that the State Department of Transportation is beginning this $15.7 million project to resurface Westchester roads,” state Sen. Shelley Mayer said. “I am particularly appreciative of these critical investments in State Routes 120 in Harrison and North Castle, State Routes 22 and 433 in North Castle. Each and every day, I hear from residents as they see and experience how important these investments are for their quality of life and the success of the economy.” Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license. “These pavement resurfacing projects will serve as a boost to area residents and businesses who rely on the County and State’s infrastructure for smooth passage each day,” Westchester County Executive George Latimer said. “Maintaining our roads is a vital function of government— and one that can be seen every day. I look forward to seeing the completion of this project.” (Submitted)