Summer sequel: Another culvert closure coming, this one's on Route 117

By MARTIN WILBUR

The latest scheduled area road closure may pose another obstacle for motorists this summer, this time for those who are traveling southbound on Route 117 in Chappaqua.

The New York State Department of Transportation has announced that a culvert replacement project at Old House Lane at Route 117 will close the road from Roaring Brook Road to King Street (Route 120) starting this Monday, June 29 through Friday, Sept. 4. Local traffic for New Castle residents who live within that closed stretch will be the only vehicles allowed.

Drivers in passenger cars are asked to use the Saw Mill River Parkway between Roaring Brook Road and the Chappaqua exit. However, commercial vehicles, including trucks, will have a much longer alternate route because they are not allowed on the Saw Mill. Commercial traffic and trucks will be forced to use Route 128 south to Route 22 in Armonk, then Route 120 to reach downtown Chappaqua.

Preliminary work has already begun to relocate utility lines causing delays and intermittent lane closures.

Replacement of the culvert is designed to improve drainage and ensure the long-term safety and reliability of the road, the DOT’s notification stated.

While the project is likely to cause headaches for drivers who typically use that stretch of road, it is unclear how much Mount Kisco will be affected. Mayor J. Michael Cindrich said the village wasn’t told of the culvert replacement project by DOT.

“Basically, we weren’t notified of anything, and all of sudden the road will close,” Cindrich said.

Cindrich said his attention has been focused on making sure the DOT approves a design revision for the Preston Way bridge abutments. The span has been closed since early December and is likely to remain shut until late 2027. Another project in Mount Kisco is Con Edison’s maintenance work on its gas system at Route 133 and Croton Avenue this summer.

The project on Route 117 is at least the third culvert in the area that needs to be replaced during the past few months. In March, a portion of Oscaleta Road gave way on March 15 in South Salem. The Lewisboro Highway Department made a temporary solution by opening a single-lane gravel roadway less than two weeks later. A permanent structure will be built.

A failing culvert on Route 22 between Maple Avenue and Bedford Corners Road forced the closure of the state road in early April.