Historic Hamlet Sidewalk Replacement

… COMPLETED … AND ONGOING …

November 2024 - Unfortunately, the Town will not be able to repair/replace sidewalks in 2024 for two reasons: 1) The Highway Department was required over the year to attend to several natural disaster/flooding events that forced them off of their routine schedule. This put them behind in other areas and they are using the time originally intended for sidewalks to catch up on their deferred maintenance work. Secondly, estimates were sought to repair the sidewalks using a privately contracted organizations. For 800’ of sidewalk repair, we received multiple bids that ranged from $48,000 to $56,000 (prevailing wage rates and the price of cement are exorbitantly high). The Town will re-evaluate their ability to repair sidewalks in the Spring of 2025.

Summer 2024 - The Town is evaluating options of sidewalk replacement this fall. Unfortunately, the Town Highway department is unable to do the pouring of the cement, but they will be able to remove the old sidewalk sections to help keep costs down for the projects. After evaluating areas around the Essex hamlet, the Town is looking at replacing sidewalks along Bull Run and at the top of the hill leading to the Essex Quarry.

Fall 2023 - The Town has performed a visual evaluation of our sidewalks in an ongoing effort to maintain safety for pedestrians. The following locations are slated to be addressed this year:

• Merchant’s Row along Route 22 - this section of sidewalk from the driveway of Sunnyside north to the entrance to the CATS trail will be replaced with a new sidewalk similar to the work that was performed in front of Greystone.

Funding to repair and replace dilapidated sidewalks comes from Essex County Tourism Enhancements Funds.

November 2022 - The sidewalk replacement from the Library to Sunnyside was completed in mid-November 2022. Thank you to the Essex Highway Department (with help from NYS DOT) for expertly completing this work to ensure a more steady pathway. Now that the sidewalk is more steady, the Town expects to provide snowblowing services to this section of sidewalk to help improve pedestrian traffic during the winter.

… BEFORE IMAGES …

Project outcome: Replace a section of dilapidated sidewalk in the Historic Hamlet. As evidenced by these pictures, this section is in need of removal and replacement with a smoother surface.

Funding Sources: Town of Essex budgeted funds

Timeline: Fall 2022

Performed by: Town of Essex

Project outcome: This section of sidewalk on Elm Street north of Church Street has been approved to be removed entirely and replaced with grass.

Funding Sources: Town of Essex budgeted funds

Timeline: Spring 2022

Performed by: Town of Essex Highway Department