Three-year road project begins on New Hartford's 'major corridor for economic development'
Some prep work has begun to start the reconstruction of Middle Settlement Road in New Hartford, a move the town supervisor believes could help jump-start a new business corridor in the area.
The project calls for the reconstruction of Middle Settlement Road beginning at New York State Route 5 (Seneca Turnpike) and ending at the Woods Park Drive and Clinton Street intersection near Lowe’s.
It will involve adding sidewalks and widening the road in some areas.
New Hartford Town Supervisor Paul Miscione said some work — such as the removal of trees — already has started on the road. The rest is expected to start within a few weeks.
“The commercial district is pretty done right now,” Miscione said. “It would be a great place to establish a second plateau.”
He said there are over 100 developable acres in the area.
Improvements included added safety measures
Middle Settlement Road, which runs parallel to Commercial Drive, is one of the most trafficked roads in Oneida County.
“It would be great for a BJs or a Costco in that area,” Miscione said, spit balling some ideas for businesses in the region.
The Middle Settlement Road area of New Hartford falls under the purview of Oneida County Legislator Chad Davis, D-14.
Davis said he has fielded complaints about the road from residents for almost a decade.
These complaints included visibility issues, how dark the stretch of road is and how the shoulder of the road is not safe.
“I think everyone will be much safer,” Davis said of the upcoming road improvements.
New Hartford already has installed LED lights on the road, Miscione said.
How New Hartford road improvement will be funded
The county is taking lead on the project — which has a project budget of $4.5 million — because Middle Settlement Road, also known as County Route 30, is a county highway.
The vast majority of funding for the project will be paid for by the state, according to project documentation.
The New York State Department of Transportation is providing close to $3.6 million through grants and aid and the Dormitory Authority of New York is kicking in $900,000.
Oneida County is expected to pitch in $771,429.
Work on Middle Settlement Road is expected to wrap up in September 2025.
Economic opportunity for Oneida County
Both Davis and Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. agree with Miscione that the area could become another economic hub in Oneida County.
Davis said the county had expanded the sewer district in the area when Lowe's came in.
Davis said any development in the area must have oversight, adding “It’s a great area for New Hartford development."
Picente noted the area already is home to a few homes, a nursing home and insurance companies.
He further noted the land still available for development.
“It’s another major corridor for economic development,” Picente said, grouping it with nearby Commercial Drive. “... That whole commercial corridor generates a lot of activity.”
Ed Harris is the Oneida County reporter for the Observer-Dispatch. Email Ed Harris at EHarris1@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: New Hartford NY Middle Settlement Road reconstruction plan prep begins
