Equipment Removed to Prepare for Reopening of Vestal Road

Crews have started hauling temporary offices and other items off Vestal Road in an effort to reopen the long-closed link to the Route 201 flyover.

The road has been shut down for westbound traffic for nearly three-and-a-half years as construction equipment was set up for work at the Binghamton-Johnson City Sewage Treatment Plant.

Vestal town supervisor John Schaffer five weeks ago said the closure had "gone on for too long." He called on Binghamton officials to take action to allow the road to reopen.

Mayor Richard David this month indicated the construction equipment would be removed from Vestal Road by November 4.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program Thursday, David indicated the gear on the county-maintained roadway should be removed on or before the announced date. But he said NYSEG officials have indicated the utility wanted to do some work in the area before it was reopened to traffic.

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar has said the city is effectively trespassing because the equipment was not removed from the roadway by the October 1 deadline set by the county.

Garnar has expressed concern the repairs to the road won't be completed before spring because asphalt plants are about to close with the arrival of cold weather.

While much of the construction-related equipment has been removed from Vestal Road, a large crane remains in place. It's not known when the crane will be taken off the roadway.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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