The problem was addressed during Monday’s City Council work session. Mayor Kim Ecklund said many streets have been taking a beating, not just Second Street, thanks to the “first real winter” this area has had in the last few years. But, she added that the city is not just ignoring the problem.

“I want to reassure the public that we are not just sitting on our hands, not engaging with the state, not engaging in conversations with our state leaders,” Ecklund said. “My office and myself personally have spoken in depth with Assemblyman Molitor and Senator Borrello about it and they are taking it up the chain to the DOT. I do know someone was down here today and looked at it.”

While she said she was not sure what they would get, Ecklund encouraged everyone to reach out to the state DOT and to express their frustrations as much as she said the city has already. The mayor’s office is able to provide information on how to do that, and Ecklund added that it is the Buffalo office specifically that they are dealing with.

The planned DOT project for Second Street is still planned to be started this year, she said.

Cars are pictured driving slowly through the corner of Second and Winsor streets Tuesday afternoon. P-J photo by John Whittaker

“I know it is a big project and if you think about the work that was done on Washington and how long that took, this section between Fourth Street and Second Street is bigger so I anticipate even in a good summer for a lot of the work to take a while,” Ecklund said.

Additionally, Ecklund said she did not know any of the internal details, but said the state is in control of the bidding and that the city has nothing to do with the internal workings on it. She also wishes to dispel the rumors that the city sat on their hands and did not get the paperwork done on time, which she said is not true.

“We really have nothing to do with the internal workings on it,” Ecklund said. “All we do is maintain that road, patch it and plow it. So, we are putting cold patch in, but unfortunately it is coming right back up, and that’s the nature of the beast. Until April 1st when the real asphalt plants come out we’re kind of limited.”

Ecklund said the city is doing the best that they can to make the street a priority for the DOT, but added that there are probably a lot of other streets in other communities in similar situations.

Councilman Randy Daversa, R-At Large and chair of the Public Works Committee, added to that, saying the contract from the DOT will be let out in July. One of the first things that will be done is infrastructure with signs and traffic lights, along with handicap ramps.

Cars are pictured driving slowly through the corner of Second and Winsor streets Tuesday afternoon. P-J photo by John Whittaker

“They probably will not mill and pave it this summer,” Daversa said. “That’s not where they start. They start with the infrastructure and in the meantime, like the mayor said, patching it is what we plan on doing and let’s see if we can at least ease the pain of the traveling public.”

Daversa said the city is aware that it is bad, but it is also a state road and they are only allowed to do the patching and paving that the Mayor mentioned until the contract is let out. Once the contract is let out the city is exonerated from any maintenance on the road except plowing in the winter.

Councilman Jeff Russell, R-At Large, asked about the potential for reimbursement of milling on the road, which Ecklund said is a conversation being had, and also addressed what is being done until July.

“So, what I hear you saying, for the public’s benefit, is we’re not just going to kick this can down the road — no pun intended — until July,” Russell said. “The conditions of that road are going to be addressed one way or another up until that project happens. Obviously there are videos that people have taken and I don’t want to see people with busted tie rods and tires popped and everything else.”

Council President Tony Dolce said they are working on a plan to do what needs to be done to make it safe and allow people to travel that road between now and when the state’s project begins. Daversa said spot milling is a possibility in April, but for now they are putting in cold patching and hoping it stays.

Cars are pictured driving slowly through the corner of Second and Winsor streets Tuesday afternoon. P-J photo by John Whittaker

There was also a question about if the city could put up signs for those who are not from the area or reduce the speed limit. The biggest concern is people driving to avoid the potholes, which can be more dangerous than hitting them. Ecklund also addressed that there are a lot of city businesses on that road that are feeling the consequences of the situation as well.

“I’ve been engaged with a lot of the business owners down there that have reached out and they are reaching out to the state directly,” Ecklund said. “They’re giving a unified force. So, that’s what I’m encouraging everyone to do.”

Dolce added that they are working on it, but asked that the public be patient because it is only the beginning of February, saying that more intense planning and work can be done when the weather gets warmer.

“We can’t fix it tomorrow,” Dolce said. “We can just cold patch it for now and when the weather gets warmer we can have another plan that’s maybe a little more intense.”