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July 6, 2008

Port Henry replaces stone traffic circle

By LOHR McKINSTRY

PORT HENRY -- The historic stone Port Henry traffic circle is gone but not forgotten.

The traffic island was removed after repeated scrapes from tractor-trailer trucks knocked stones loose and damaged the planting bed inside.

The space where it stood has been paved over, to the chagrin of some residents who wanted the circle left where it was.

But the circle isn't gone forever, Village Mayor Gary Cooke said.

"We will be relocating the traffic circle, hopefully to keep it from being hit so often."

Village Public Works Superintendent John Tromblee said he's getting red brick paving stones to build a new traffic island slightly smaller in diameter.

"I think we can make it a touch smaller and move it up the hill a little bit. The tractor-trailers won't hit it."

The traffic island sat at Main and Broad streets in the village and had a garden bed in the center that was planted with flowers.

Village Trustee James Curran said pre-fabricated paving blocks can be used for the new traffic island.

"Every time we fix the circle, the trucks hit it (again) and knock the stones out."

The island had been constructed from masonry stones similar to those on the stone walls around some village homes.

The island was once larger and had a bandshell in the center where concerts were held. The bandshell was removed in the 1960s and the stone traffic circle put in.

Cooke said the edges of the pavement will be beveled at the new traffic island to push away tires of vehicles that get too close.

"They (the DPW crew) know what to do."

Tromblee said he's spoken with State Department of Transportation Engineer Michael Fayette on how to proceed with the traffic circle.

He said the state will give advice on how to correctly restructure the circle, decide on an exact location and ensure it is done properly the first time to allow for better flow of traffic.

Some people have complained about the removal of the old stone traffic island, Cooke said, because it was considered historic.

Some residents are also opposed to using pre-fabricated blocks to build the circle, instead of the stones that had been mortared in place.

Broad Street, where the traffic island is located, is scheduled for repaving in 2009.

lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com

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