Detours Begin On Main Street For Downtown Renovations

Contractors working for the Town of Clarkstown began tearing up a portion of Main Street at Third Street in New City today as part of the downtown renovation project.

Traffic detours began this morning to allow for the work, which will stretch from Third Street to Congers Road, where work is also ongoing for a makeover of Kevin Landau Park opposite the Rockland County Courthouse.

Southbound traffic on Main Street was not affected by the start of work today. However, Main Street is closed to northbound traffic for a block at Third Street. A posted detour takes motorists down Third Street and over to Maple Avenue, where motorists can then turn back onto Main Street at Second Street.

Today's work started in front of St. Augustine's Church, where a "road closed" sign diverts northbound traffic to Third Street and Maple Avenue. The sign also makes note that shops along Main Street in the affected area are still open for business.

Edward J. Lettre, the town's public works administrator, said work on Main Street is expected to continue every weekday, and may include Saturday work to help get the project on track. The Main Street lane closings related to the construction will remain in effect around the clock, he said.

This portion of the downtown renovation - costing about $6 million - is targeted for completion by late November. The work is about a month behind schedule, delayed as the town and contractors hammered out final details of the work and its costs.

The work includes rebuilding the Main Street roadway as well as improving drainage and rebuilding sidewalks. The project also includes installation of special lighting for Main Street. The project is also creating additional on-street parking along Main Street.

If you were traveling to and from New City today, the work on Main Street was one of several projects in the area that put restrictions on traffic. Road work along Kings Highway in Valley Cottage had traffic using only one lane today, and tree trimming work by the county Highway Department shifted lanes on Congers Road in New City at Brewery Road.