What's with all the traffic cones?

BY ERIKA NORTON
GOSHEN — If you've been driving through downtown Goshen recently, you've probably noticed a goodly amount of orange traffic cones and roadwork going on now that the weather is nice.
“That’s New York State taking the first steps to repave Route 207,” said Mayor Kyle Roddey.
To repave the road, all sidewalk ramps must be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Roddey said. The village also has drainage infrastructure under 207, so now is the time to make improvements.
These improvements include manhole replacements and upgrades to drainage before paving begins, “just so we don’t have to dig up the beautifully, newly paved road after it's completed,” Roddey said.
The repaving of 207 shouldn’t affect traffic too much though, said Gina DiSarro, spokesperson for New York State Department of Transportation Region 8, because work will be done at night, between 7 p.m. until 5 or 6 a.m. There will be no detours, but one-way alternating traffic during roadwork.
The paving is expected to start sometime early to mid-May and to be completed by the end of May, beginning of June, DiSarro said.

Other downtown improvement projects will begin this spring as well. Last September, the village adopted a plan to improve the downtown streetscape to help local businesses and create a “safer, more connected, interesting and vibrant” area.
The Downtown Streetscape Improvement plan focuses mostly on West Main Street, with upgrades to sidewalks, lighting, landscaping, and the existing bus shelter. A number of additions are also planned, including bike racks, seating areas, and signs.
It's going to be a gradual process, according to Roddey. The first phase will begin soon with the permanent closure of Market Street, which will be turned into a pedestrian park, with seating areas and a brick-like pavement.
“Right now we’re coordinating the adjacent property owners,” Roddey said, “but that work should begin in the near future. My goal is to have Market Street done before Great American Weekend.”
The street festival happens every year on the July 4 weekend.
The village will also be improving sidewalks in some locations this summer, Roddey said, with Greenwich Avenue being one of them. New benches will also be installed downtown, along with bike racks to make the village more bicycle friendly.