New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez announced that an $8.3 million project is underway to replace concrete barriers and Partial rails that will give travelers a better view of the scenery while staying safe.The project includes a section of Route 73 along the upper and lower Cascade Lakes as part of the annual Lake Placid Ironman course.Work will be completed ahead of the 2023 Lake Placid International University Sports Union (FISU) World University Games in January this year.
Route 73 through Keene and North Elba is a scenic drive through the Adirondacks.It is the main link between the North Adirondack Road (Interstate 87) and the village of Lake Placid, which was the site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics.
The barriers were installed in the early 2000s to replace masonry curb barriers, and while safe, the surface beneath the barriers had deteriorated and new installations were required.
Work will include laying new pavement on these sections of Route 73.The shoulders of Route 73 along the upper and lower Cascade Lakes will be 4 feet wide, a stretch often used by cyclists who train for triathlon competitions.
Site preparation work is underway at all three locations, and weekday daytime traffic is currently taking place in alternating flows controlled by bannermen; this will continue as needed until the end of April.After site preparation is complete, motorists should take care to reduce traffic on these sections of Route 73 to a single alternate lane controlled by temporary traffic signals.
During the annual Lake Placid Ironman Race in July, work along Cascade Lake will be suspended and roads will be fully open.Work and alternating traffic will then resume along the road until the project is complete, scheduled for later this fall.
Photo: Will Roth, president of the Adirondack Climbers League, stands next to a section of guardrail on Route 73 that will be replaced in 2021.Photo by Phil Brown
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I’ve long been put off by those ugly concrete barriers on those amazing roads, as my friends who have endured my complaints over the years can attest to that.When feeling generous, I think there are some engineering reasons that make them necessary.Glad to see that’s not the case.
I wonder why they don’t use weathering steel.It is more attractive, unobtrusive and in keeping with its surroundings
Products continued to rust, failing to deliver on the steel industry’s promise that rusting would stop once “protective patina” had formed.
I don’t know what they are using, but I agree with you.At least on that scenic stretch of highway, I’d much rather see the rusted brown rails.
Here’s what I quickly discovered… Weathering steel guardrail systems cost $47 to $50 per linear foot, or about 10-15% more than galvanized steel guardrail systems.
If the current campaign to reduce winter salt application prevails, it may be associated with longer weathering steel life.If the weathering steel is limited to scenic areas, another option is to add zinc sheets at each track overlap where corrosion tends to be more severe.This is said to add about 25% to the cost, but if it comes with a significant lifespan extension, it might be worth it in these areas.If New York State is interested in attracting tourism revenue, they should realize that maintaining image is part of the price.
The article doesn’t say it’s weathering steel that is deteriorating.It says the problem is the ground supporting the guardrail: “The guardrail was installed in the early 2000s to replace a masonry roadside guardrail, and while safe, the surface beneath the guardrail has deteriorated and requires new installation.” My campsite likes it very much Appearance of Corten steel railings.Of course, they won’t last forever, but many of them look good.Galvanized guardrails also don’t last forever.
I would add that galvanized guardrails may indeed increase driver safety as they are still more visible, especially in low light and at night.Rusty Corten looks “better” because it disappears against the natural background.
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