Orleans REDI projects total $17 million, with $9M sewer project in Kendall the biggest
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Town of Yates Park on Morrison Road has picnic tables, grills and a pavilion close to the shoreline. The state approved spending $2.5 million to expand the park and help protect it from flooding. This photo was taken this afternoon.
Yates Town Park approved for $2.5 million in improvements, expansion
The $49 million announced by Gov. Cuomo today for 20 lakeshore projects in Orleans and Niagara counties includes $17 million in Orleans County.
The projects will improve public land and infrastructure, including roads, a new sewer system in Kendall and Hamlin, and an improved Yates Town Park.
The money announced today is part of the first round of funding under the Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative. There is also $20 million available for homeowners and $30 million for businesses that will be allocated later.
Governor Cuomo launched the Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative in May to increase the resilience of shoreline communities and bolster economic development in the region.
He said today it was necessary as part of “a new normal” with high lake levels. The governor wants projects that will protect important public land and infrastructure from future flooding.
The governor was at Fort Niagara in Youngstown to announce the funding for Niagara and Orleans. The state is paying 95 percent of the costs, with the local governments chipping in percent.
Those projects include:
Orleans County
Wastewater Infrastructure for Kendall and Hamlin, $9,053,000
This project will disconnect homes from the septic systems and connect them to a wastewater system. A privately owned facility (located at Troutburg in the Town of Kendall) will be turned over to the Town of Kendall, and approximately 125 residences in the towns of Hamlin and Kendall will be connected to the facility.
The project will solve the problems for lakeside residences with septic issues west of West Kendall Drive, including along Lomond Shore West, Edrose Shore, Knapp Shore, Thompson Drive, and near Lakeland Beach Road and Bald Eagle Drive in the Town of Kendall, plus residences near Beachwood Park Road in the Town of Hamlin. This project will connect these areas to a sanitary sewer and convey wastewater to a treatment facility.
Yates Town Park and Expansion in Yates, $2,531,000
The Yates Town Park is located off Morrison Road, northeast of the Village of Lyndonville.
The Town of Yates proposes to expand the town park with enhanced recreational and water access opportunities. This project seeks to further enhance the park’s environmental resiliency, protect and expand its natural and nature-based features, and increase public access to the area’s recreational resources.
Proposed mitigation measures in the project will consist of:
• Installing shoreline stabilization measures to protect the park shoreline and associated features
• Evaluating opportunities to enhance recreation and water access through a new kayak launch and playground
• Installing upgrades to the park’s amenities, including an upgraded parking lot area, enclosed pavilion and bathrooms, and a 10 foot wide nature trail
Lakeshore Road (Route 97) in Carlton, east of Point Breeze, $2,062,000
Lakeshore Road is eroding rapidly and creating a hazardous situation for the roadway infrastructure and the waterline adjacent to the road. This project seeks to address the erosion of the bluff, as well as the existing failed shoreline protection.
Proposed mitigation measures in the project will consist of:
• Protecting the toe of the bluff with shoreline stabilization measures
• Stabilizing the bluff through grading and fill (where possible)
• Vegetation along the embankment
The project assumes 1,500 foot long by 40 foot wide shore stabilization with fill and new vegetation for 10 to 20 foot of the width. During the engineering process, the project should also evaluate potential of shore protection measures.
Public Town Road Ends/Culverts in Kendall, $1,500,000
Culverts adjacent to Ed Rose Shore, Knapp Shore, and Thompson Drive are impacted by high water levels resulting in culvert ends being clogged with debris. This project will install a more resilient box culvert concept. A culvert located at Lakeland Beach Road needs fortification, and riprap will be placed at the outlet of the culvert to provide protection.
Proposed mitigation measures in the project will consist of:
• Replacing end of culverts with box design systems at four locations (Edrose, Knapp Shores, and Thompson Dr.)
• Upgrade stabilization measures at the Lakeland Beach Road end of culvert
Point Breeze Boat Launch in Carlton, $751,000
The docks and boating slips at the Orleans County Marine Park will see upgrades.
The 72-slip boat launch is owned by the county at the Orleans County Marine Park.
Proposed mitigation measures for the project consists of:
• Replacement of fixed elevation docks with floating docks and slips, inclusive of anchorage and posts to permit only vertical dock movement
• Modification and upgrades to impaired boat launches to increase resiliency
Lakeside Park Road East in Carlton, $385,000
The bluff on which the eastern portion of Lakeside Park Road sits has been experiencing erosional impacts, creating a 30 to 40 foot drop that has become a hazardous condition for the road and public water line in the area. This project aims to stabilize the bluff to protect these assets.
Proposed mitigation measures in the project will consist of:
• Protecting the toe of the bluff with shoreline stabilization; stabilizing the bluff with embankment vegetation
• Where space allows, the bluff will be graded back to a more stable slope
Lakeside Park Road West in Carlton, $235,000
The Town of Carlton Highway Department uses a payloader to carry pallets of sandbags across a washed out section of Lakeside Park Road West on June 2. A chunk of road washed out in May. Residents at three houses have to walk through the washed out road to reach their houses. The road will protected with riprap in one of the REDI projects.
The shoreline on which Lakeside Park Road sits has been experiencing flooding impacts from both Johnson Creek and Lake Ontario, including the loss of an access road/lane, land protecting homes, and public water lines. West of the intersection with Lakeside Road there is approximately 300 feet of public water line at risk of being exposed and compromised.
Proposed mitigation measures in the project will consist of:
• Constructing an access road to place protective materials along the shoreline
• Placement of riprap stone to protect the public water line during future high water level(s)
Thompson Drive turnaround to become beach access in Kendall, $131,000
A section of Thompson Drive at the western end of Kendall was eaten up by Lake Ontario in the spring 2017. This photo was taken on May 7, 2017.
The former Thompson Drive turnaround provides beach access to the Lake Ontario shoreline. There is an opportunity to turn the former turnaround into beach access, coupled with nature-based shoreline protection.
The proposed project would reduce shoreline erosion, protecting local infrastructure and maintaining access along the route.
Proposed mitigation measures in the project will consist of:
• Installing natural or nature-based shoreline protection addressing the erosion of the turnaround, which is nearing the shoreline edge
• Ensuring and enhancing access to the shoreline
Route 237 right-of-way in Kendall, $40,000
The shoreline/waterfront area along the Route 237 right-of-way is experiencing significant erosion as a result of high water levels, flooding, and wave intensity. A project is currently ongoing to install riprap along the waterfront to protect the eroding shoreline associated with the right-of-way, abutting the riprap of two neighboring private properties.
Proposed additional mitigation measures in the project will consist of:
• Construction of a berm to further stabilize the shoreline and protect the area from future flooding
• Filling the gap between existing shoreline protection features with additional shoreline protection
• A protective barrier to provide public safety, and limit access from hazardous conditions at the end of the Route 237 right-of-way
Installing markers on submerged structures in Orleans and Niagara, $50,000
In-lake structures throughout Niagara and Orleans counties, when underwater, may result in hazardous boating conditions. Installing temporary safety markers is a proactive approach to protect public safety.
This project will install safety markers on submerged structures (piers). The structures will be clearly marked by installing temporary warning buoys.
For more on the projects, including the $32 million for those in Niagara County, click here.
