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$44.6 Million Thruway Project Completed In Rockland, Orange Counties
Work has completed on a $44.6 million pavement improvement project on I-87 in the critical corridor spanning Rockland and Orange counties that was slated to conclude by year-end 2023.
Overseen by the New York State Thruway Authority, the work covered nearly 10 miles between exit 15, New Jersey – I-287 – NJ Route 17 South, in western Rockland County to southern Orange County.
Starting in May, Yonkers Contracting Company, the project contractor, conducted full-depth pavement repairs with crews removing and replacing the most deteriorated portions on the nearly 10-mile stretch of roadway from milepost 29.4 to 38.7. The work, covering 60 total lane miles, improved the structural integrity of the roadway. Crews installed a new two-course asphalt overlay to provide a smoother ride for motorists, installed new guiderails, and upgraded drainage systems and culverts.
In 2022, motorists took more than 376 million trips and drove 7.7 billion miles on the Thruway system. This stretch gets some of the most traffic, Authority Acting Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said in May.
“This section of the Thruway is traveled by 92,000 vehicles daily, many of whom are Rockland residents who rely on it heavily due to this county’s severely limited mass transit options to the city,” said Rockland County Executive Ed Day.
The Authority’s approved 2024 budget invests a total of $451 million to support its Capital Program, which is scheduled to invest $2.4 billion into capital projects over the next five years — a $500 million increase compared to the 2023 budget.
$40 Million Rockland County Highway Garage and Maintenance Facility Opens
The county’s new $40 million highway department garage and maintenance facility that includes seven buildings across 24 acres opened last month.
Located at 26 Scotland Hill Road in Chestnut Ridge, the facility is on the border of Chestnut Ridge and Clarkstown, just north of New York State Thruway Exit 14a. It includes an office building, operations building, vehicle storage for the fleet, a repair shop, a salt mound capable of storing 10,000 tons of salt for use during the winter months, a wash facility for large vehicles, a fuel station, and emergency generators with enough fuel in storage to keep them running for two weeks.
Rockland purchased the land on which the new facility was built for $1 from the New York State Department of Transportation.
The previous highway department facility had been built in 1935. In the 1960s after 30 years of service it became apparent that upgrades would be needed and, eventually, it would need to be replaced.
In 2020, the County Legislature approved bonding to finance construction of a new facility.
Rockland County Executive Ed Day said that by being able to wash large vehicles in the new wash facility the county will be able to increase the life expectancy of the vehicles by 20 percent, resulting in substantial savings for the county.
He pointed out that highway traffic in Rockland has increased and continues on the upswing and that the county’s highway department is responsible for 72 bridges and 170 miles of road.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rockland County Raise $30,000 in Annual Event
More than 100 people turned out for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rockland County annual fundraiser last month, which rocked an 80’s theme night and raised $30,000.
“Fundraising is undoubtedly a challenging endeavor,” said Gillian Ballard, President/CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rockland County. “The intricate process of ensuring full attendance, generating funds through ticket and raffle sales can be undeniably stressful. Witnessing, however, the camaraderie that unfolds, the sea of smiling faces, and the resounding affirmation from supporters of the organization contribute to an atmosphere of excitement and fulfillment.”
“Over the years, as we’ve immersed ourselves into various fundraising initiatives, there hasn’t been a single year that hasn’t proven both enriching and profoundly satisfying as a testament to the unwavering spirit of our community,” she added.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rockland is the local affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America that operates a community mentoring program that provides services to at-risk youth throughout Rockland County in one-to-one long term, professionally supported mentoring partnerships with fully screened adult volunteers. It is the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in Rockland County.
Senator Weber, Assemblyman Zebrowski, Supervisor Hoehmann Tour Site to Benefit from Recently Signed Cemetery Restoration Funding Bill
Proposed legislation to allow the Town of Clarkstown to access state funding for the restoration and repair of three abandoned cemeteries was recently signed into law in October.
Senator Bill Weber and Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski introduced the legislation (S.6878/A.7121) this year to allow the Town of Clarkstown to access funding made available under a state finance law.
The cemeteries that will be eligible for the state funding include the Nyack Rural Cemetery and Mount Moor Cemetery, both located in West Nyack, and the Nanuet Cemetery, located in Nanuet.
“I’m grateful that the legislation we introduced aimed at restoring Rockland Cemeteries was signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul,” said Senator Weber. “Thank you to Assemblyman Zebrowski for partnering with me and passing this legislation in the State Assembly. My office will continue working with Assemblyman Zebrowski and Supervisor George Hoehmann’s offices to ensure that the African American Mount Moor, Nyack Rural, and Nanuet Cemeteries are restored expeditiously.”
