POUGHKEEPSIE – In a years-long process of Central Hudson contractors digging up roads in the City of Poughkeepsie to replace gas lines, Tuesday night marked a new problem. The latest contractor in Central Hudson’s intermittent destruction of asphalt has decided to work past 5 p.m. On Tuesday night, after having the road closed all day, the contractor was still digging away on North Hamilton Street between Cottage Street and the Dutchess County Jail past 8 p.m.
The long-term infrastructure project that Central Hudson is performing has resulted in several complaints from the community. Residents have noted that the work on one street does not get completed before the crews move to another part of the city for a few weeks before returning. Another complaint has been the noticeably uneven blacktop that contractors use to “restore” the road surface to the condition it was in before the work began.
“They are out here without work lights or warning flashers raising dust and making a lot of noise,” said the homeowner in the area who alerted Mid-Hudson News to the issue. “They have been digging up the road every day and putting steel plates down before they leave in the afternoon and I don’t mind because I am not home during the day,” he added. “When I get home, I don’t expect to hear the heavy equipment operating in front of my house at 8:30 p.m.” The homeowner requested his name be withheld for fear of having the contractor retaliate.
Mid-Hudson News asked one of the workers on North Hamilton how long they would be and he said, “We pack up when the boss tells us to, and not before,” while declining to provide access to the “boss.”
When told of the issues, Central Hudson Spokesman Joe Jenkins told Mid-Hudson News, “The gas main being replaced was in the intersection of High and North Hamilton streets,” which is part of the company’s plan to replace a minimum of 15 miles of natural gas infrastructure (pipeline) in their service area every year. He explained the late evening work on Tuesday, saying, “Crews encountered unforeseen conditions which slowed progress, but they are required to complete the work through the entirety of the intersection in order to reopen the road to traffic before finishing for the day. The site was clearly marked with cones, signage and flaggers.”
Regarding the lack of warning lights or any work lights at all, Jenkins said, “Safety is the highest priority for Central Hudson and our contractors, which is why we adhere to the strictest safety standards and best practices while performing work in our communities. We also abide by all applicable work codes and noise ordinances put in place by the municipalities we’re working in.”
On Thursday morning, motorists traveling south on North Hamilton Street were made aware of the construction by a sign that reads “Road Work Ahead.” As drivers continued south past the old Dutchess County Jail, they were met by a flagman who forced them to turn around in the parking lot of HZ Electric Supply Company. After watching several cars make the forced U-turn, one driver said to the flagger “Maybe you should put a sign up that says “Road Closed” to which he replied “Oh, it’s not up,” and shook his head before continuing to make vehicles turn around.
Jenkins said residents and businesses in affected areas were made aware of the work by letter that contained a cell phone number for the Central Hudson foreman who is supervising the project. “We understand that this work could frustrate some residents, and we encourage them to reach out to Central Hudson with their concerns via the direct contact information they have been provided while we work to improve the safety and efficiency of our natural gas system.”
