A section of Forest Avenue in Amsterdam will be closed today as excavation will begin in order to repair a section of sewer line that is believed to be the source of an ongoing leak of wastewater into the Chuctanunda Creek. According to a statement released by the city yesterday, Forest Avenue will be closed between Second Avenue and Clark Avenue until the repairs are complete.
Mayor Michael Villa said yesterday that the repairs may take the rest of the week to finish. He also said he met with Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos at the repair site yesterday and said he believes Seggos is pleased with progress of the repairs. Villa also said that because of the runoff of groundwater from recent rainstorms, it is difficult to tell whether the leak into the creek has completely stopped yet or not.
Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a statement yesterday which said he is directing the Department and the Environmental Facilities Corporation to provide technical assistance to the city while the repairs are completed. Additionally, he said that the state will help identify potential grants or loans to defray the cost of the repairs.
Residents with questions about the road closure can call the Department of Public Works at 518-842-3691.
