Local residents in Hurley, New York are calling for change in their community.
Hurley, 100 miles north of NYC in Catskill Park, is known as a great place to raise a family and enjoy a quieter suburban life. But residents are growing increasingly concerned about Schoolhouse Lane, a quiet, tree-lined street that has seen an uptick in vehicular traffic that affects pedestrians.
Some residents have asked the Town Board to make Schoolhouse Lane a one-way street. Many are also seeking increased police monitoring to watch out for trucks that are not following the required detour for the closure of U.S. Route 209.
These worries were brought up during a recent meeting, with residents chiming in about how big trucks can’t make the sharp turn onto Main Street when taking Schoolhouse Lane as a shortcut. These trucks often end up going over the sidewalk as they struggle to complete the turn, or heading back down Schoolhouse Lane to Russell Road.
The narrow road runs behind Ernest C. Myer Elementary School and between the Hurley Library and the Hurley Heritage Society building at the Main Street intersection. With no stripes, shoulders or sidewalks, the road is not as pedestrian friendly as it could be, especially with the increased truck traffic.
Due to current construction closures, the road has become an easy option for motorists trying to access Hurley Avenue, but it’s meant to be off-limits to big trucks and tractor-trailers. These large vehicles are directed to Wynkoop Lane to Hurley Mountain Road and then onwards to state route 28 as part of the detour.
Although students don’t get dropped off or picked up via Schoolhouse Lane, there’s still plenty of kids and parents in the area, walking home or taking a bike ride. Even when the road is not being used as a detour, traffic still comes up fairly fast, and it can become too close for comfort when there’s two cars and pedestrians or bicyclists.
A section of the retaining wall near the school has collapse, adding to the concerns.
As a result of the meetings, town officials said they would look into placing signs to alert truck drivers to avoid Schoolhouse Road, as well as what steps would be necessary to turn it into a one way street.
For more information, please visit the official website of the Town of Hurley HERE.
Photo: mykingstonkids.com