A New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) project, spanning across the Village of Silver Creek, the Town of Hanover, and the Town of Sheridan, including portions of Route 20 and Route 5, is set to proceed. The DOT project, classified as project number 5112.01, is focused on pavement rehabilitation, sign installation, curb ramps, and drainage repairs. The project will bring roughly 100 sidewalks and ramps up to date with ADA compliance.

Village Trustee Bill Barnes recently spoke with a representative from D&H Excavating, who was awarded the contract for the project. Barnes shared with the Village Board that the work will begin in mid-March, weather permitting. A tentative date for completion is around Thanksgiving.

“The village is going to be a mess for a while,” Barnes said.

Barnes stated that the project totals roughly $7 million worth of work, from the Routes 5 and 20 split to the Walnut Creek Bridge.

Pictured is a rendering of the curb ramp set to be installed at the intersection of Central Avenue and Howard Street at its southwest corner.

A major area of focus in the project is the Main Street and Central Avenue intersection in the Village. A curb ramp at the intersection of Central Avenue and Howard Street at its southwest corner is also set to be installed.

The project is focused on accommodating pedestrians to provide a more walkable community. For the roads themselves, Brian Dankert, Project Manager, stated that the new pavement surface could last 10-15 years.

With a career in construction himself, Barnes noted that D&H Excavating handled the roundabout in Fredonia. “I’ve done a few jobs with them. They know what they’re doing and they’re very good. Hopefully everything goes smooth,” Barnes said.

Also at the recent Village Board meeting, Village Trustee Sandra Lindstrom expressed appreciation for the Village Department of Public Works for their efforts this winter in keeping the roads clear, as well as for the Silver Creek Fire Department and Emergency Squad for all the calls they respond to each month.

“That siren goes off constantly,” Lindstrom said. “I do appreciate everything that you guys do.”

A secondary contract with the Chautauqua County Humane Society was approved by the Village Board for the care of dogs. The Village’s primary contact for dog control services is Timothy Christian, who serves as Dog Control Officer for both the Village and the Town of Hanover.

The Silver Creek Hanover Garden Club was approved to use the Village Ballpark and Pavilion on May 15 from 4-7 p.m., and May 16 from 6 a.m. until 5 p.m., for the 16th annual Garden Faire. For more information, follow the Silver Creek Hanover Garden Club on Facebook.

The next Mobile Food Pantry event, sponsored by the Silver Creek Food Pantry, the Village of Silver Creek, and Feedmore WNY, will be today, from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., at the village municipal parking lot. The event is free of charge to residents of Silver Creek and other nearby communities. The Village appreciates and welcomes all volunteers.

The next meeting of the Silver Creek Village Board is scheduled for Monday, March 2 at 7 p.m. at the Village Hall.