Senator Cathy Young (R-Olean) is joined by other officials on Aug. 25 to announce $5 million in funding for enhancements to Route 60 between Gerry and Cassadaga.
FALCONER – Route 60 will finally be seeing some upgrades to address safety concerns that have led to countless accidents and more than 80 fatalities the past 45 years.
Senator Cathy Young and Assemblyman Andrew Goodell joined several local officials late Friday morning in Falconer at the County Highway Garage to announce $5 million in state DOT funding for enhancements along a 12-mile stretch of Route 60 between Gerry and Cassadaga.
The enhancements will involve the addition of passing lanes, although the exact number and location has not yet been determined. The state will likely begin studying where to place the passing lanes in the coming months, and that process will continue into 2018. Actual construction of the passing lanes won’t likely begin until 2019.
The move is expected to help improve safety on the busy roadway, which has seen 82 traffic fatalities since 1972.
“The Route 60 corridor is a major thoroughfare and Chautauqua County’s primary north – south connector, averaging 6,700 vehicles per day. Yet, with only a single lane in either direction and speed limits that range up to 55 mph, the road has become the most dangerous in the county, with a high rate of accidents and fatalities,” said Senator Young.
Joining the two state representatives were County Executive Vince Horrigan, Sheriff Joe Gerace, and Public Facilities Director George Spanos.
“Our officers have witnessed firsthand the tragic aftermath of many of the accidents that have occurred on Route 60. We are grateful to Senator Young for spearheading the effort to secure this funding and look forward to the safety improvements it will provide,” said Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace.
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