High Profile Road Construction Projects Behind Schedule

Drivers and pedestrians may think the reconstruction of New Hempstead Road, a county road, and South Main Street, a Clarkstown project, have slowed down. They would be right. 

Rockland County Deputy Highway Superintendent Andy Connors said storms over the course of the past 12 months contributed to delays in removing utility poles as part of the reconstruction of New Hempstead Road between North Main Street and the Palisades Interstate Parkway. He said the project is one year behind schedule. 

“I think we expected to have some of this work done sooner,” he said on Tuesday, adding there had been mitigating factors.

In an email Verizon spokesman John Bonomo said the delays cannot be attributed to Verizon.

“On New Hempstead Rd., we have continued to work hard to stay ahead of the construction crews,” Bonomo stated.  “Both electrical and cable TV contracted out the work they needed to perform.   This is the first week we are able to work without issues from other utilities.” 

Connors expects the majority of the work to be completed by the end of the year such as final curbs, water lines, drainage overhead power lines and relocation of poles. 

“We should have the road ready for paving in the fall,” he said, but noted the final two inches of paving and striping may not happen until the spring because it cools off too quickly in cold weather to be rolled out properly. 

Connors said the finishing touches of planting and landscaping are being done between Little Tor Road and North Main Street. 

Clarkstown Public Works Administrator Ed Lettre said the third phase of the South Main Street revitalization project is about two months behind and it has taken longer to get fully mobilized when work resumed this spring. He said utility companies were about two months behind because of damage from Hurricane Sandy and the rebuilding of New Hempstead Road. He predicted utilities would begin installing new poles and removing the old ones so sidewalks can be excavated and new sidewalks and curbs poured. 

“They’ve  remobilized and they’ll be back in full swing within the next week or so,” said Lettre.

He said the contractor has been working on landscaping in the interim and will start working longer days and Saturdays to catch up.  Lettre still anticipates that the bulk of the revitalization will be completed by the original date of November 15.

Bonomo described the company’s progress. He said Verizon has worked to stay ahead of the construction and relocated Cablevision lines in order to keep to their schedule. He said the company is not the cause of any delay.

Bonomo said crews began working on the far end of South Main Street near the Route 304 intersection as requested and will work through this weekend. Several business owners along South Main Street expressed concern over the lack of progress this year and were happy to see Verizon trucks in the area on Thursday.

“We are approximately 50% complete with pole removals and have provided ample area for the beautification to start on the far end of the project, as requested,” he wrote.  “Since we did the 12 pole removals back in May nothing has been done on Main St.”

He expect Verizon’s crews will finish their work before the agreed upon completion date of August 1.