5-Lane Highway Plans Approved
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SYRACUSE - Despite an apparent mountain of opposition, Syracuse Town Council approved design plans Tuesday for a five-lane highway through the village.
The decision came on a narrow 3-2 vote during a special meeting before a packed crowd at town hall.
Instead of killing the project, council chose to approve the design but made it clear the project could still be killed.
Supporting the design were Jack Matney, Bill Cutter and Carol Koble. Council president Barb Carwile and councilman Jake Bitner opposed it - and received throngs of handshakes afterward.
The road project spans a mile through the heart of the town's business district and would replace the current two lanes and frontage roads blamed for a high number of minor traffic accidents.
Council president Barb Carwile, who said this spring that a vote by council could be six months away, said the vote was called after the state said they were waiting for council's decision.
Since four meetings were held to receive public input, Carwile limited discussion Monday to council members.
One by one, they spoke on the issue. All gave lengthy explanations except for Koble, who limited her comments to thanking the public for its input.
Although it was approved, only Matney outwardly supported the idea of a five-lane highway. He said his position is based on the long-term needs of the town.
Matney said he feared if the project is killed, future local proposals for the state highway would be placed on the back burner.
Cutter appeared to be wary of killing the project and all council members agree that some improvements to the road are needed.
The strongest opinions came from those opposed.
Carwile said she supported original plans for a three-lane expansion, but was "opposed to the five-lane project completely."
She and Bitner said they believe the scope of the project is unwarranted.
Finances are another factor that bothers Carwile. The project is slated to cost about $3.5 million and the town may have to contribute upward of $600,000. If approved, the project still faces state approval and may not even start until 1999, which would likely boost costs.
"If we go with this, it will tie up all available money the town has," she said.
Carwile said she's looked at recent multi-lane projects in North Manchester and Warsaw and said she believes such a project would ruin Syracuse's atmosphere.
About 150 people attended recent public hearings, and very, very few people spoke in favor of the project.
The town's chamber has opposed the project and aligns itself with business owners who feel changes would not benefit retailers.
Some business owners said they do not feel they could survive a one- to two-year construction project. [[In-content Ad]]
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SYRACUSE - Despite an apparent mountain of opposition, Syracuse Town Council approved design plans Tuesday for a five-lane highway through the village.
The decision came on a narrow 3-2 vote during a special meeting before a packed crowd at town hall.
Instead of killing the project, council chose to approve the design but made it clear the project could still be killed.
Supporting the design were Jack Matney, Bill Cutter and Carol Koble. Council president Barb Carwile and councilman Jake Bitner opposed it - and received throngs of handshakes afterward.
The road project spans a mile through the heart of the town's business district and would replace the current two lanes and frontage roads blamed for a high number of minor traffic accidents.
Council president Barb Carwile, who said this spring that a vote by council could be six months away, said the vote was called after the state said they were waiting for council's decision.
Since four meetings were held to receive public input, Carwile limited discussion Monday to council members.
One by one, they spoke on the issue. All gave lengthy explanations except for Koble, who limited her comments to thanking the public for its input.
Although it was approved, only Matney outwardly supported the idea of a five-lane highway. He said his position is based on the long-term needs of the town.
Matney said he feared if the project is killed, future local proposals for the state highway would be placed on the back burner.
Cutter appeared to be wary of killing the project and all council members agree that some improvements to the road are needed.
The strongest opinions came from those opposed.
Carwile said she supported original plans for a three-lane expansion, but was "opposed to the five-lane project completely."
She and Bitner said they believe the scope of the project is unwarranted.
Finances are another factor that bothers Carwile. The project is slated to cost about $3.5 million and the town may have to contribute upward of $600,000. If approved, the project still faces state approval and may not even start until 1999, which would likely boost costs.
"If we go with this, it will tie up all available money the town has," she said.
Carwile said she's looked at recent multi-lane projects in North Manchester and Warsaw and said she believes such a project would ruin Syracuse's atmosphere.
About 150 people attended recent public hearings, and very, very few people spoke in favor of the project.
The town's chamber has opposed the project and aligns itself with business owners who feel changes would not benefit retailers.
Some business owners said they do not feel they could survive a one- to two-year construction project. [[In-content Ad]]