COUNTY EXECUTIVE DAY ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF NEW HEMPSTEAD ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

NEW CITY, NY — County Executive Day today announced the completion of a three-year project to upgrade New Hempstead Road (County Route 80) in Clarkstown, from North Main Street in New City to the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Ramapo. The $33 million project made significant improvements along the stretch of New Hempstead Road that serves commuters as well as local traffic, plus those visiting Rockland’s government offices and courts. More than 18,000 vehicles travel some portion of New Hempstead Road on a typical weekday.

“Like most local drivers, I am thrilled this project is finally over,” said County Executive Day. “Despite the delays and added costs, I am thoroughly impressed by the finished product. This road construction will make driving into the heart of our County safer and smoother, which will improve the overall quality of life here.”

With the completion of the project, the improvements include:

• 4.5 fully reconstructed lane miles of New Hempstead Road widened and resurfaced, with three new traffic signals and turning lanes

•The replacement of a deteriorated and flood prone culvert carrying the Demarest Kill under New Hempstead Road; replaced by a new stone-faced concrete arch bridge

• Five-foot wide safety shoulders added to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists between Little Tor Road and the Palisades Interstate Parkway

•All sidewalks, street lamps and plantings have been coordinated to match the features used by the Town of Clarkstown on South Main Street.

The pavement structure and most existing drainage facilities were replaced between North Main Street and the Palisades Parkway, including the relocation of several major water mains and all utilities. The project also included the installation of 17,000 linear feet of drainage pipe, 260 drainage structures, 18 retaining walls, 1,400 linear feet of sidewalk, three bus shelters, four new or reconstructed parking areas, 260 signs, 66 ornamental street lamps, 1,320 trees and shrubs and 2,800 perennials.

Reconstruction began in March, 2011 under the previous administration with the goals of replacing obsolete and deteriorated infrastructure, including existing pavement, drainage and several large culverts. Additionally, the project sought to improve safety and mobility for motorists and enhance streetscape aesthetics with the new paving stone walks, granite curbing, ornamental street lamps, stone-faced retaining walls and creative landscaping. “Safe and smooth roads are a service that taxpayers expect and deserve,” said County Executive Day.

In May, the Rockland County Highway Department garnered national recognition by the American Society of Civil Engineers for excellence in planning and development of the New Hempstead Road reconstruction project.

The project construction contract was $33 million and was funded though federal, state and county grants. New Rochelle-based Montesano Bros. Construction was the contractor and additional project partners were: Orange and Rockland Utilities and United Water New York.

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