New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Astrid C. Glynn was joined Oct. 14 by federal, state and local elected officials and the Construction Industry Council at a ground breaking ceremony for a $30 million project to improve access and safety at the Route 9W intersection with Short Clove Road in the village of Haverstraw, Rockland County.
“The $30 million undertaking we are starting today is an important safety project that will eliminate a railroad grade crossing. Grade crossings are too often places of danger and where we can eliminate them, such as here, we want to.” Glynn said. “Governor David A. Paterson and the Department of Transportation are dedicated to bringing improvements such as this to villages in the Hudson Valley and across New York State.”
Also participating in today’s event were U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey, State Senator Thomas P. Morahan, State Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski, Village of Haverstraw Mayor Michael F. Kohut and President of Construction Industry Council Ross Pepe.
The groundbreaking was part of a news conference to announce the start of work on a project that will improve the safety and access of Route 9W with Short Clove Road in the village of Haverstraw. The event was held at the project site along Riverside Avenue in the village of Haverstraw.
“This project is a win-win for Haverstraw and the entire lower Hudson Valley — a safer bridge and better traffic flow,” Schumer said.
“Our quality of life is truly dependent upon the quality of our transportation systems,” said Lowey. “Relocating the existing Route 9W intersection with the new bridges will allow residents of Haverstraw to travel safely and easily in and out of the village. Together, the Short Clove Road reconstruction and the implementation of quiet zones will provide safer and more convenient roads, a quicker commute to work, and an improved quality of life for Rockland County.”
The project calls for relocation of the existing Route 9W intersection with Short Clove Road and realignment of the intersection of Riverside Avenue with Short Clove Road. The new Route 9W intersection with Short Clove Road will be constructed 1,500 ft. (457 m) to the north of the existing intersection and will include a traffic signal and dedicated southbound left turn lane along Route 9W for traffic turning onto Short Clove Road. A total of more than 1,700 ft. (518 m) of new roadway will be built, along with approximately 4,700 ft. (1,432 m) of new retaining walls.
Short Clove Road will be reconstructed to include two new fly-over bridges to carry traffic over CSX railroad tracks before it reconnects to Riverside Avenue. The new bridges will allow for the existing at-grade railroad crossing to be removed. This will eliminate the need for traffic turning from Short Clove Road onto Route 9W to stop on the railroad tracks while waiting at the intersection, greatly improving safety at this location. It also will increase access for local traffic. Currently there are no alternative routes to the village other than at-grade railroad crossings, thereby cutting off the village if a train is stopped on the tracks. This project will enhance village access and safety, ensuring at least one crossing point will be grade-separated.
This project also includes terraced retaining walls, extensive re-landscaping, major utility relocation, improved drainage, and pavement markings.
During construction, Short Clove Road and Route 9W will have one lane of traffic open in each direction during peak hours with temporary lane closures during the day along Short Clove Road as needed. The project, awarded to Ecco III Enterprises Inc. of the city of Yonkers, is expected to be completed by fall of 2010.
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