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TUCKAHOE, N.Y. -- A construction project to replace a crumbling retaining wall along Yonkers Avenue in Tuckahoe is currently underway with help from a million dollar federal grant.
A section of road on Yonkers Avenue that goes over a narrow portion of the Bronx River is currently supported by a retaining wall estimated to be 100 years old.
The project will replace roughly 200 feet of that retaining wall, according to Tuckahoe Mayor Steven Ecklond.
"Basically, we had fears that the road was going to collapse into the river," Ecklond said, adding that the funding for the project came through just in time.
Ecklond said the village applied for a federal grant for the repairs approximately three years ago. The grant is roughly more than $1 million and part of the deal included the village putting up $75,000 in cash, and $50,000 in services.
The first service provided by the village was tearing up the road. Now the Army Corps of Engineers will execute the replacement of the retaining wall.
"Construction of the new wall will allow water from heavy rains to go around the bend in the river greatly reducing the flooding we have always experienced in that area," Ecklond said.
Traffic will be detoured around the construction site for the duration of the project. Ecklond reported that he has only had one or two complaints about the inconvenience.
"When you weigh the temporary inconvenience against the ramifications of the road potentially collapsing into the river, it is better to do the project," he said.
After the wall is shored up, the village will repave Yonkers Avenue. Ecklond said he hopes the project will be completed by late fall.
Have you had to deal with the detour on Yonkers Aveune in Tuckahoe? Tell us about it at The Daily Eastchester or The Daily Bronxville.
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