DOT Not Going Forward With 125 Foot Towers
A Department of Transportation project that would have put seven 125-foot towers throughout the Saw Mill Parkway and that generated rigorous opposition is not going forward.
The announcement was made in a statement released tonight by State DOT Commissioner Joan McDonald following a meeting with Assemblyman Robert Castelli.
“Since 2005, the New York State Department of Transportation has been planning for an intelligent transportation system communications network to monitor and manage traffic on commuter routes in Westchester County,” McDonald said. “The project includes a wireless communications system. Part of the communications system could entail communications towers. At this point in time, NYSDOT has decided not to install communications towers along the Saw Mill River Parkway.”
The DOT had proposed 17 towers along four state parkways in Westchester to help communicate traffic problems to authorities and the public. Locally, two were proposed for Mount Pleasant, two were proposed for Pleasantville, and three in New Castle.
New Castle Town Supervisor Susan Carpenter praised elected officials for working to put pressure on the DOT to not go ahead with the project.
“Our elected representatives have done a wonderful job,” Carpenter said. “Send them an e-mail thanking them.”
Pleasantville Mayor Peter Scherer released a brief statement thanking the people who were vocal in their opposition to the proposed project.
“Thanks to all who helped in the effort to encourage DOT to reconsider this plan, and thanks to DOT for bringing this issue to a conclusion that protects the Village and its neighbors in Mount Pleasant and New Castle,” Scherer said.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.