NYSDOT to host public open house on two Lyons projects
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NYSDOT Announces Public Open House for Two Major Lyons Projects
The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has scheduled a public open‑house event in Lyons to discuss two significant infrastructure projects slated for the town. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 4 , 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Lyons Town Hall (120 Main Street, Lyons, NY 12090). The open‑house is part of NYSDOT’s commitment to engage local residents and stakeholders early in the planning and implementation process for transportation improvements across the state.
Projects Under Review
The two projects that will be featured during the open‑house are:
Route 23 Eastern Corridor Improvement – This project involves widening the existing Route 23 corridor between Lyons and the neighboring town of Hudson. The plan calls for the addition of a new lane in each direction, the installation of new traffic signal timing, and the replacement of aging drainage infrastructure that has been identified as a safety hazard. According to the NYSDOT project page, the corridor will be expanded to accommodate projected traffic increases by 2035, while also reducing the number of collision points that have been documented in the last decade.
Route 9 North‑South Bypass and Bridge Replacement – The bypass will reroute through‑traffic around the central portion of Lyons, relieving congestion on the downtown Main Street. The proposal also includes the replacement of the current concrete bridge over the Housatonic River with a modern steel‑arch structure, designed to accommodate larger vehicles and to meet the latest environmental and safety standards. NYSDOT estimates the bypass will reduce travel time for trucks and commuters by approximately 12 minutes during peak hours.
Both projects are funded through a combination of state and federal transportation bonds, with supplemental support from the NY Infrastructure Investment Program and allocations from the American Rescue Plan Act. The projected cost for the Route 23 project is $18.4 million, while the Route 9 bypass and bridge replacement are estimated at $27.6 million.
Purpose of the Open‑House
The primary goal of the open‑house is to provide residents with a comprehensive overview of the projects’ scope, timeline, environmental impact, and cost structure. NYSDOT officials will present detailed site plans, traffic modeling data, and a summary of the environmental assessment (EEA) that accompanies each project. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide written or verbal feedback. This feedback will be formally incorporated into the project’s Community Impact Report and will guide any necessary adjustments before final design approvals are sought.
The open‑house will feature:
- Project Presentations – Led by senior engineers from NYSDOT’s Office of Transportation Planning, the presentations will outline the technical aspects and safety benefits of each project.
- Site Tour – Participants can walk the existing route sections to observe current conditions and the proposed improvements in situ.
- Q&A Session – Community members can pose questions to the project team, local officials, and environmental specialists.
- Feedback Forms – Printed and digital forms will be available for residents to submit their comments, concerns, and suggestions directly to NYSDOT and the Lyons Planning Department.
NYSDOT spokesperson Karen Ruiz emphasized the importance of community input, stating, “The success of these projects depends on transparency and collaboration with the residents of Lyons. We want to hear your thoughts and concerns so that the final designs reflect the needs of our community.”
Additional Resources
To prepare for the open‑house, residents and stakeholders are encouraged to review the detailed project documents available on the NYSDOT website. The following links provide further context:
Route 23 Eastern Corridor Project Overview: https://www.nysdot.gov/Projects/Route23EasternCorridor
This page contains the full engineering drawings, traffic analysis, and a summary of the environmental review, including projected impacts on local wildlife corridors and water quality.Route 9 North‑South Bypass and Bridge Replacement Summary: https://www.nysdot.gov/Projects/Route9BypassBridgeReplacement
This link offers a downloadable PDF of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which outlines the proposed bridge design, stormwater management strategies, and mitigation measures for historic sites within the vicinity.Public Participation Portal: https://www.nysdot.gov/PublicInput
Residents can submit comments electronically through the portal, track the status of their submissions, and receive updates on how their feedback is being incorporated into the project plans.Lyons Town Meeting Agenda: https://www.lyonsny.gov/meeting-agendas
The town’s website lists the official agenda for the open‑house, including times for the presentations, tours, and discussion periods. The agenda also includes contact information for the town’s Planning and Zoning Department, which will be co‑hosting the event.Nearby Transit Alternatives: https://www.nytransit.com/lyons-transit
This resource provides information on existing public transit routes that may be affected during construction, and outlines temporary detours or shuttle services that NYSDOT plans to implement to minimize disruption.
Community Response
In a recent informal meeting held in the Lyons Community Center on October 18 , residents expressed a mix of excitement and concern. “We’re thrilled to see a major project that will improve safety,” said local business owner Maria Torres. “But we’re also worried about how construction will impact traffic to our shop and the environment.” Others highlighted the need for clear communication about construction timelines and traffic detours. The open‑house will address these concerns directly and provide residents with tangible information about how the projects will be executed.
Next Steps
Following the open‑house, NYSDOT will convene a Project Design Review Board to assess the community feedback and finalize design plans. If the Board approves the designs, the projects will enter the Construction Phase, slated to begin in early 2027. Throughout the project lifecycle, NYSDOT will continue to hold quarterly public updates and maintain a dedicated project website for ongoing transparency.
The open‑house represents a critical juncture in ensuring that the Route 23 Eastern Corridor Improvement and Route 9 North‑South Bypass and Bridge Replacement are not only technically sound but also responsive to the voices of the Lyons community. Residents are encouraged to attend, review the available documents, and contribute their perspectives to shape the future of transportation in the region.
Read the Full Democrat and Chronicle Article at:
[ https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2025/10/27/nysdot-to-host-public-open-house-on-two-lyons-projects/86928030007/ ]