Pictured is the end of Maple Avenue, looking towards Clymer Hill Road in Clymer, where the DOT’s project is expected to cover, beginning in 2027. P-J photo by Sara Holthouse

CLYMER — A planned project in the town of Clymer to be done by the Department of Transportation is officially looking to begin in 2027.

An open house meeting was held in mid-January for the DOT to talk with Clymer residents about the general project. The project, officially known as a Pedestrian Improvement Project for New York Route 474, is set to cover the area in town from Maple Avenue to Clymer Hill Road, spanning the area between the two on Clymer-Sherman Road. The project’s main purpose is to upgrade pedestrian infrastructure in that area which may include the replacing of existing, deteriorating sidewalk and the construction of new sidewalk and/or an asphalt path extending towards Clymer Hill Road, replacing curbs where needed, upgrading non-compliant curb ramps, upgrading signage and the flashing traffic signal, and repairing or upgrading roadside drainage.

“The DOT is proposing to perform many upgrades to the Route 474 corridor including adding or replacing sidewalks and drainage systems, improving the turning radius at the four corners, and also adding additional safety measures for crosswalks and accessways,” Town Supervisor Brian Willink said.

The mid-January open house was open to the public, allowing anyone interested to come and view the project plans, ask questions, and point out any specific concerns that they have with either current or future plans. Currently, Willink said many engineering and safety plans are being reviewed, which will be followed by the bid process and approval of final details, with the estimated project start date in the spring of 2027. Additionally, Willink said that anytime there are plans to change existing infrastructure and/or improve an area there is a chance that something will be discovered that could change the entire scope of the project. One factor that will play into this project is the town’s current water infrastructure upgrade project that has also begun and will still be in the works as the DOT’s project gets underway.

“One contributing factor that everyone from the DOT is aware of is our water system upgrade,” Willink said. “That project will be impacting the same area that the DOT is looking to upgrade, so there is a tremendous amount of coordination between the two teams that will be required to be sure that either project doesn’t interfere with the other.”

This is the first major upgrade to the Route 474 corridor in over 50 years, and Willink said the town and DOT are focused on getting it right. He added that the DOT engineering teams are aware of the current issues and working diligently to provide the town with a project to be proud of.

While one open house meeting has been held, Willink said other meetings are likely in the future to allow for others with interest or concerns about the project to come learn more and talk with the engineers.