The one-way-heavy Washingtonville neighborhood is getting the new gas mains to help ease flooding.
Con Edison finished work on Grand Street on Tuesday, May 20, as its contractor, Persico Construction, dug up Washington Street. Con Edison will move onto Washington Street when it completes Grand. Since both are one-way streets, the only egress for westbound traffic on Plaza Avenue is Washington Street.
As a result, the village closed Plaza Avenue, a two-way street, to westbound traffic this week. It was closed until 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Con Edison didn’t immediately say whether the project will require Plaza Avenue to remain closed in the coming days.
The current gas mains that run under the streets and connect to individual houses are 6 inches in diameter. Once the contractor digs up the ground, Con Edison inserts a plastic pipe that is 4 inches in diameter, which will increase the pressure, one worker said.
The project began about two weeks ago and is moving down the Washingtonville neighborhood.
Michael Puccio, of Grand Street, said he got a letter that said it is a six-week project. While the project has caused traffic snarls for residents, he said Con Edison and its contractor are doing a great job.
“Yesterday was the worst day,” he said, referring to Monday, May 19. “They had Plaza (Avenue) and Old White Plains Road blocked off.”
Other residents said they were frustrated by the traffic.
“Going to the gym is hard enough, let alone sitting in traffic for 30 minutes so early in the morning,” said Art Frick, who lives in the neighborhood.
Frick said the project has taken away a lot of parking on his street, leading neighbors to use the open field of grass next to his apartment.
Check back with Daily Voice for more information from Con Edison on its project.
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