Work begins on Oneonta intersection improvements

ONEONTA. N.Y. — Construction work has started on a $4 million project to enhance safety and improve traffic flow at the intersection of James F. Lettis Highway (State Route 23) and Main Street (State Route 7) in Oneonta, Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced. Work will include constructing a modern roundabout to reduce vehicle congestion and make it easier for pedestrians and motorists to get around downtown Oneonta, according to the governor’s office. The project will convert the current, signalized intersection of Lettis Highway and Main Street into a single-lane roundabout that will improve vehicle mobility and reduce idling. New sidewalks, lighting and signage — including flashing beacons — will also be installed to enhance safety for pedestrians. New drainage systems and landscaping will be added to improve resiliency and sustainability. Work began in April with tree removal and other site preparations. Major construction will start in early to mid-July and focus initially on the northern end of the intersection and interior of the roundabout. During this phase, only the ramps to and from the Lettis Highway will be open to traffic traveling east on Main Street. All other vehicular and pedestrian access will be closed and detours posted, per the announcement. In September, construction work will shift to the southern end of the intersection and the southbound ramps onto Lettis Highway will close. Eastbound traffic will be detoured. During the project, a free, 24-hour shuttle will be provided to aid pedestrians during times when access to the work zone is restricted. There will be two pickup and drop-off locations on Main Street and two more on Lettis Highway. Construction is tentatively scheduled to wrap up at the end of the year. The project is funded with a mix of state and federal funds, with the bulk of it coming from the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program, the governor’s office stated. A second project — dubbed the Southside Oneonta Safety and Mobility Improvements Project — is scheduled to begin in 2026 and focus on improving the sidewalks and traffic flow along State Routes 23 and 28.