For Immediate Release: February 1, 2013
Media Contact: Brian Keeler | 845.463.0840 | keeler@nysenate.gov
SENATOR GIPSON, ASSEMBLYMAN KATZ, SUPERVISOR TENDY HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON PUDDING STREET OVERPASS
Thursday afternoon, Senator Gipson led a press conference at Putnam Valley Town Hall to discuss the ongoing safety crisis at the Taconic State Parkway’s Pudding Street intersection. He was joined by Assemblyman Steve Katz, Putnam Valley Supervisor Robert Tendy, Putnam Valley Highway Superintendent Larry Cobb, Putnam Valley Central School District Superintendent Barbara Nuzzi, Putnam County Legislator Sam Oliverio, and A. Gerald Schramek from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department. These officials are united in their commitment to rapidly find a solution to the dangers faced by school buses as they cross the Taconic at the Pudding Street interchange. The solution is clear: an overpass must be built so that school buses and other vehicles can safely navigate the intersection amid fast-moving, high-volume parkway traffic.
Senator Gipson is in the process of arranging meetings with NYDOT officials to move the process along. The case for prioritization is abundantly clear, so now it is a matter of establishing and authorizing appropriate funds to complete the project.
“We have no greater responsibility than to protect the health and safety of our children,” said Senator Gipson. “The intersection of Pudding Street and the Taconic State Parkway is a tragedy waiting to happen with 20 school bus crossings every day. I have asked the NYDOT to fulfill a commitment first given to the people of Putnam Valley back in 2003 to make this dangerous intersection safe. My office is looking to work with the parents, teachers, bus drivers, town, county and state officials, and the NYDOT to correct this dangerous problem.”
Assemblyman Katz noted that state legislators have a role to play in advocating for funding. “Our residents have been pounding on the DOT’s door for over a decade about the safety of our children and the government continues to ignore our concerns. We must hold their feet to the fire publicly to ensure the safe transportation of our children to and from school. No child should be put in danger just to receive an education. This project must get underway as soon as possible.”
Supervisor Tendy emphasized the time local officials have dedicated to pursuing a solution. “We know that the situation has been studied extensively, and that money can be found.”
It is Senator Gipson’s goal that this collaboration among public officials, along with continued input and urging from local residents, will result in an accelerated timeframe for a solution.
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