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Viable Alternatives to Paving on Old Albany Post Road
To the Editor:
Is paving really the only solution to flooding and erosion on Old Albany Post Road? Is it the best solution for Philipstown? I hope I can add some light to this discussion, and I hope that many more local residents will get involved in the conversation. Plans for paving are surprisingly advanced, so unless a concerted opposition convinces our Town officials otherwise, be prepared for paving this spring.
Let me pose this question: Is it possible to control flooding, erosion, and sediment runoff from this dirt road without paving it? The answer certainly is yes. Drainage and appropriate engineering can solve these problems; the road surface is a secondary decision. This is borne out by the experience of towns such as Washington, NY, which has dirt roads and topography similar to Philipstown.
Flooding occurs when the volume of water exceeds the capacity of the stream and the culverts that carry it. Diverting water from the road into pipes underneath the road can reduce the volume of water that currently runs off into the stream and wetlands. This is part of the Highway Department's proposed solution. Unfortunately their current engineering plan is specifically designed for a paved road and is not appropriate for a dirt road. If the planned drainage is installed, there is no longer an option to keep the surface as dirt.
Erosion of the road has been caused by flooding and by poor drainage. Construct a dirt road with a proper sub-base, base, geometry, gutters, and you won't have gulleys carved by uncontrolled water.
Sediment runoff is certainly minimized by a paved surface. Sediment can also be controlled on a dirt road by choice of surface material, and by catch basins and other structures to allow the sediment to settle out. These catch basins need to be cleaned out periodically, increasing maintenance costs.
Dirt roads do require more frequent maintenance than paved roads. Some folks believe that paved roads are less costly than dirt. Over the long run the cost is comparable when you factor in the high initial cost of paving.
Some residents have suggested that paving will increase their safety. Nothing could be further from the truth! Common sense and numerous published studies tell us that paving brings higher speeds and more fatal accidents. For anyone who walks, bikes, or drives on this road, or anyone with children, paving will reduce your family's safety.
In my mind, Philipstown needs to decide if the benefits of paving outweigh the damage it would do to the character of this historic landmark road. The ink is barely dry on Philipstown's Comprehensive Plan, which prominently calls for preserving our historical and cultural heritage, including our network of dirt roads. Our highway department has already drawn up plans to pave more than ½ mile, out of a total 6.6 miles. There is no plan to preserve the rest.
Noel Kropf
Garrison
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