KENMORE, N.Y. (WKBW) — A $2.5 million project to rehab Wardman Road in Kenmore has been giving residents a bit of a headache.
Residents we spoke to last month said the project has taken too long and is causing some safety concerns.
"I've heard it referred to as Armageddon by a couple of neighbors," said Andy Kucserik, who lives on Wardman Road. "If you look at the sidewalks it's hard to get down these and pass them. Most the time you're walking in the middle of the street to get through to the other side where we park our cars.">
And Monday's winter storm made things even more difficult.
Other neighbors we spoke to said it was their understanding that DJM Construction was supposed to be done with the project by November first. A construction worker tells us off-camera that they've had to delay placing the pavement because of weather, but they'll have that done by next Friday.
The construction company also saw other delays.
"There were some issues with the pitch of the sewer lines, it did put them behind a week or two. And then they did hit the gas line," said Kenmore Mayor Patrick Mang.
The project is meant to rehab sidewalks, street lights, storm drains, curbs and waterlines.
But residents said they're frustrated by how long they've gone without sidewalk and access to their driveways.
"I don't want to blame the workers because they do work hard. But it's been a long time," said Judith Ivancie, who lives on the street.
We did reach out to DJM Contracting for a comment, but haven't heard back.
A spokes person for the mayor sent 7 Eyewitness News the following statement:
This is a full street reconstruction, including new water, storm and sewer lines, new curbs, sidewalks, driveway aprons and transitions, as well as street paving.
Street reconstructions take 6 – 7 months to complete. This project started in May, with a substantial completion date of November 1st (full completion in the Spring). At present, all lines have been installed, as well as the curbs and most of the sidewalks. The contractor has also started to install driveway aprons.
On October 31st we let the residents know that the Contractor would not meet the November 1st date , but that we believed the project would reach substantial completion before the holiday.
The snow and unusually cold temperatures do impact the work, however with the forecast showing higher temps next week, we believe that flatwork will be completed next week, along with installation of the street binder.
In the meantime, the Contractor is responsible for plowing the street and sidewalks.
Ultimately, the contractor is responsible for bringing the project to completion, and the Village has been taking measures, including consultation with its attorneys, to ensure that the project is completed as quickly as possible. We are doing everything in our power to ensure that the project is substantially completed before the holidays, and that our residents have a fully-reconstructed, finished project in the spring.
Meanwhile, we’ll continue to keep the residents updated on all developments through hand- delivered letters.
