To the Editor:
Construction on two new roundabouts on Carman Road is likely to begin soon. There have been significant delays with the project so I am cautious about presenting a precise time frame.

Guilderland Supervisor Peter Barber did tell me preliminary site work is expected to start this week. The construction work schedule will be dependent on the weather. I can say the long vacant eyesore, the Nedco pharmacy, will likely be torn down in April.

The first roundabout will be at the intersection of Carman Road and Lydius Street. The second will be a short distance away at the Interstate on-ramp next to the Dunkin’ Donuts.

The roundabouts are funded by a federal highway safety program. In addition, a new sidewalk will also be built on Carman Road from the Lydius roundabout to Pine Bush Elementary.

I first contacted the state more than a decade ago to push for the roundabout and was told it was not suitable for the location from an engineering and topography standpoint. Fortunately, that position has changed.

I know many of you (myself as well) have had to sit through too many red lights waiting for a chance to turn at the Carman and Lydius intersection. Many Fort Hunter residents spoke up at a public hearing the state held on the project and your input on the need for a second roundabout to handle the increased flow of traffic from the first roundabout was heard and adopted.  

Eventually, there will be some disruption in traffic, but it is expected some traffic flow will continue throughout the entire day. The town does provide updates on temporary road conditions, so I strongly urge you to sign up for notices by text on Nixle, a free platform for breaking town news.

I’ll monitor the project’s progress and pass along needed updates. My thanks to everyone who has a hand in making this happen.

Mark Grimm

Legislator

Albany County

Editor’s note: Mark Grimm represents the Carman Road area of Guilderland in the Albany County Legislature.

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