Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the “gateway enhancements” and paving. “Tourism in New York is at an all-time high and with these investments in the Watkins Glen area, the Southern Tier will see more NASCAR fans, wine connoisseurs, and people of all ages who want to see all the region has to offer,” he said in a news release.
The work will include maintenance paving of 15.8 miles of Route 14 from the Village of Reading to the Village of Watkins Glen, new sidewalks throughout the Village of Watkins Glen, and new traffic signals with pedestrian push buttons.
The gateway on the northern end of the village will get raised islands in the median meant to calm traffic, the state said, making the area safer for bicyclists and pedestrians. A new welcome sign will be installed.
Crosswalks will be painted in a checkered-flag design to commemorate the village’s auto-racing history. Historical information signs will be place along the streets where the first Watkins Glen Grand Prix was held in 1948. Racing now takes place at nearby Watkins Glen International, southwest of the village.
Contact McChesney at cmcchesney@cnybj.com
Photo credit: http://www.watkinsglen.us/