Mistakes Prolong Project at Busy Binghamton Intersection

A $3 million project to improve access to downtown Binghamton at a busy intersection still isn't finished, more than a year after work began.

Road surfaces at Front and Clinton streets were lowered because of ongoing problems with trucks getting stuck under railroad bridges.

Utility lines were relocated as part of the project. New curbs and sidewalks have been installed on the streets leading to the intersection.

The work was expected to be finished last year. But as it continues into its second year, car and motorcycle drivers must swerve around raised manhole covers.

Binghamton Mayor Richard David said some of the work must be redone because handicapped accessible ramps that were put in did not meet the standards required by law.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, David said the ramps as built were too far away from the intersection crosswalks.

The mayor said the completed work would not have been in compliance with existing guidelines, so reimbursement of costs the city expects to receive from the state would have been jeopardized.

David said the final coat of asphalt can't be put down at the intersection until the ramps are properly placed.

The mayor said city officials had been "going back-and-forth" on the issue with the project contractor for several weeks. He said paving work at the site should be completed in the coming month.

David declined to specify who was responsible for the mistake that caused the delay in finishing the job. He said the city supervises the work and has demanded that the project meet appropriate specifications.

The mayor said the construction company should cover the cost of the extra work. He said, "if the work wasn't done correctly, then it needs to be done to our satisfaction."