Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Continues Public Safety Initiatives
AKWESASNE—The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe continues to make progress on its strategic vision for a healthy and prosperous community. This vision includes enhancements to community infrastructure for increased safety. Following several public safety initiatives that include installation of streetlights, road improvements through Generations Park and the removal of unsafe structures, the Tribe is now pleased to announce it is seeking comment on draft designs for new sidewalks.
“For too long, we’ve experienced the losses of, and injuries to, our friends and relatives walking or cycling along our community’s roadways,” shared the Tribal Council. They noted, “As a result of these issues, and based on concerns from the people, we feel it is time to seriously study how we can improve existing sidewalks and install new ones to become a more pedestrian-friendly community. We are looking to start the process for two of our community’s busiest roads: St. Regis Road and Cook Road.”
Contributing to the sidewalks draft design is data obtained in August 2018 between the Tribe’s Planning and Infrastructure Department and AES Northeast. Both collaborated to capture drone footage and collect data along St. Regis Road and Cook Road on elevation, identification of environmental concerns and sensitive areas, and any potential obstructions for consideration, such as cemeteries and bridges.
Based on the data, AES Northeast’s Civil Engineering Division has proposed four different plans for a sidewalk along both roads: a sidewalk set back from the roadway, a widened shoulder, an off-road multi-use trail, and curbing and sidewalk (similar to Generations Park). The feedback from community members will determine the best design or combination for either St. Regis Road or Cook Road. Community feedback will also help determine associated costs for constructing the final design.
“This is an exciting project and one that is long overdue. Our community continues to grow and our roadways have become busier. A real conversation is needed among our families to understand what it will really take to install suitable sidewalks. Possible easement requirements and other sensitive issues need to be understood if we are to make sidewalks a reality,” said Executive Director Tsiorasa Barreiro.
A copy of the Sidewalk Design Option for St. Regis Road and Cook Road is available to view at the Tribe’s Construction Building located at 2817 State Route 95 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. It is also accessible through the Tribal Members Portal located on the Tribe’s website at www.srmt-nsn.gov.
There is currently no deadline for submitting comments, as a presentation on the proposed sidewalk designs is being scheduled for the coming year. Individuals interested in providing written comment can submit them in person or by mail to:
Brent Herne, Construction Manager
SRMT Planning & Infrastructure
2817 State Route 37
Akwesasne, New York 12914
For more information or questions, please contact Construction Manager Brent Herne by calling (518) 358-4205 or emailing brent.herne@srmt-nsn.gov.
PHOTO CAPTION: The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe is seeking public comment on four proposed designs for sidewalks along St. Regis Road and Cook Road. One plan entails curbing and a sidewalk similar to the design currently being constructed along Margaret Terrance Memorial Way at Generations Park (pictured above).
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