Horseheads Central School District announces state funding: school, county officials credit O’Mara for securing state aid to assist plan for improved safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists along Sing Sing Road

Horseheads, N.Y., October 3—Horseheads Central School District officials announced that State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) has secured $230,000 in this year’s state budget to assist the school’s plans to improve safety along County Route 17 (Sing Sing Road) in front of the Horseheads Middle and Intermediate schools.

“I’m very grateful to have this opportunity to help support this project and applaud the Horseheads Central School District for working closely with Chemung County to take the initiative and recognize this critical need for improved safety,” said O’Mara, Vice Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. “The project’s completion will ease traffic congestion in the area and enhance safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.”

“We would like to thank Senator O’Mara for his assistance in securing this important funding,” said Dr. Thomas J. Douglas, Horseheads superintendent of schools. “We’d also like to thank Andy Avery and Chemung County for partnering with the district to improve safety for our students, staff, residents, and motorists along Sing Sing Road. Safety is paramount, and the traffic congestion along Sing Sing Road has been a long-standing issue. We are proud to be moving forward, thanks to Senator O’Mara and Chemung County.”

School officials have been working closely with Chemung County leaders to develop the plan, which calls for the addition of turning lanes, wider shoulders, and improved striping and signage.  School expansions over the years have compromised the road’s use capacity and caused increasing traffic delays as well as safety concerns for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.

“This has been a safety concern for a long time so we are grateful to be able to resolve this problem and improve safety for the whole community,” said Chemung County Executive, Tom Santulli. “Chemung County would like to thank Senator O’Mara for his hard work in securing aid to fund this important project.”

The estimated cost of the improvement project is $230,000 including design, construction, and inspection.  Construction is expected to get underway in Spring 2018 and be completed during the summer. 

The county will be the lead agency for the project and maintain the roadway in the future.