The winter has taken a toll on Route 28 between Old Forge and Eagle Bay in the Town of Webb, according to Supervisor Ted Riehle, who said he has received many complaint calls recently from local motorists.
The potholes and dips on some sections are such that they threaten safety and risk damaging vehicles, Riehle said.
“I’ve contacted both Senator Hugh Farley and Assemblyman Marc Butler, as well as New York State Department of Trans-portation’s [NYS DOT] Region 2 Director, Jack Williams,” he said.
Williams said current weather conditions impede his department’s ability to patch the spots with any measure of permanence. But they are patching as best they can, according to Riehle.
Riehle said the Williams agreed to mark the problem spots better until proper road corrections can be made.
“I’ve requested that they place flags or lights—anything that would alert drivers to the rough spots,” Riehle said.
Other than that, motorists should be aware of Route 28’s condition and drive accordingly, Riehle said.
“Drive cautiously, take it slow,” he said.
Beyond simply tending to the seasonal damage, Riehle said it’s time Route 28 got a major overhaul.
“The state needs to seriously consider some road improvement work here. This is an important area tourist-wise with thousands of people traveling through and coming here to stay,” he said.
Route 28 was rehabilitated in 2006, between Old Forge and Inlet. A more expansive project had been planned, but was shelved when state funds dried up.
As such, parts of Route 28 were reconstructed, and drainage was improved.
“[The original plan] was to tear everything out, going down to the sub-base. That never happened. The work done was mostly resurfacing,” Riehle said.
And now, even the Rondaxe corner section of Route 28—which was improved a few years ago—is having pothole issues, according to Riehle.
“There’s been an awful lot of road work done in the Adirondacks. I think it’s time we get something major done here,” he said.
Those who have questions or comments about the area’s state roads, can call the NYS DOT Region 2 Director’s office at (315) 793-2467.