Town says $2.5M WQIP grant closes funding gap for Upper Minkel Dam; several bridge and culvert projects advance

Town staff told the New Castle Town Board on June 9 that project funding and permitting developments have moved several long‑running infrastructure projects forward.

Rob, the town administrator’s operations lead who briefed the board, said the DEC and U.S. Army Corps required the town to remove sediment after dewatering the Upper Minkel Dam, which increased project scope and cost from earlier estimates. After an unsuccessful application to the state’s Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs bond program, the town received a $2.5 million WQIP (Water Quality Improvement Program) grant that staff said should cover the remaining funding gap once the consultant finalizes a revised design.

“We do believe at this point it will cover the remaining costs,” Rob told the board, but he cautioned that the consultant’s design work is still pending and that the schedule depends on permitting; staff provided a conservative completion estimate of about three years for full decommissioning once designs and permits are in hand.

On bridges, staff said the Duck Pond bridge replacement has been ordered and the prefabricated structure should arrive in July, with pedestrian bridge installation expected to follow and likely be complete by winter if the schedule holds. The North Bedford Road pump station has a new generator and enclosure in place; crews will take the station briefly offline this summer to finish pump replacements.

The board also reviewed multiple culvert and roadway projects: the Byron Lake culvert continues to be revised based on DEC comments; the Milwood sidewalk project is now ready for bid after utility relocations; and the town’s trenchless water‑main work beneath the Saw Mill River Parkway and Metro‑North right of way is paused only while final subsurface borings are completed to determine boring method and schedule.

On state and federal work, Rob summarized NYSDOT’s plan for the Route 117/Old House Lane culvert replacement and confirmed DOT’s posted detour and an anticipated full closure window from June 29 through Sept. 4, with the authority noting the work is a state project. Separately, staff said the federal grade‑separation project at the Saw Mill River Parkway/Metro‑North has a federal kickoff meeting scheduled June 23; board members said the construction cost estimate has grown since earlier planning and referenced a new estimate of roughly $135 million.

Board members asked about timelines and funding expirations; staff said an extension was secured on a prior grant and that design completion is expected this year for projects that still require final consultant plans. No board votes were taken on these projects at the meeting; staff said several procurements and contract actions would return for approval as design and permitting progress.

Town staff also reminded the board of upcoming NYSDOT work and encouraged residents to consult posted detours and the town’s forthcoming user‑friendly maps and notices.