Roadwork begins in Lewiston

Paving expected to start next week

by John M. Curtin

Traffic was restricted down to one lane both ways Wednesday morning, as New York State Department of Transportation crews began milling a portion of Center Street in the Village of Lewiston. The roadwork is a precursor to upcoming paving.

"Because of current road conditions, we have to mill from Ninth Street to the east of the Robert Moses before paving can begin," said Susan Surdej, the public information officer at the Buffalo branch of the DOT.

The paving project, which costs approximately $400,000 in state funds, is part of the NYSDOT's regular road maintenance program, and is being done by local vendor Amherst Paving Inc.

Although the original schedule had the paving taking place from Monday, Aug. 13, until the following Thursday, anticipated rainstorms have pushed the plans back. Paving now will begin on Thursday, Aug. 16, and will last until Tuesday, Aug. 21 (excluding the weekend). The paving itself will cover the area from the village line (Ninth Street) up to Model City Road.

Wednesday's roadwork caused delays in the village, and led to concerns about the impact construction could have on this weekend's events (including the Art Festival, a concert, a race and a motorcycle rally).

Irene Rykaszewski, executive director of the Lewiston Council of the Arts, said she was surprised to see delays on the Lewiston exit of the Robert Moses Parkway. She advised Art Festival patrons to consider alternate routes.

"I would advise anyone coming to the festival or Artpark to keep away from the Lewiston exit, stay on the Robert Moses and take the Pletcher Road exit, which will bring them into the village. It will certainly be backed up with both the festival and the Artpark event (the musical "Cinderella") happening this weekend," Rykaszewski said.

For more information about current NYSDOT projects, visit https://www.dot.ny.gov/projects.

**UPDATE: All lanes reopened Friday (albeit with a grooved surface), likely as a result of the activities happening this weekend in Lewiston.