Clarkstown: Rt. 59 Contractor Gets Back to Work Despite State Budget Woes

The state's budget woes continue to hold up construction projects throughout the state, but the road and bridge project on Route 59 in West Nyack is moving forward through the cooperation of the contractor on the job, according to Clarksotwn officials.

The New York State Department of Transportation Monday resumed work on the $30.6 million project to improve Route 59 from Sickletown Road to the Route 303 interchange ramps right in front of the Palisades Center mall. With the resumption of work, a portion of Route 59 has been narrowed to one lane in both directions.

The project, which was awarded by the DOT to A. Servidone Inc./B. Anthony Construction Corp. of Castleton, Renssalear County, N.Y., has been dormant since early this year after some initial demolition and set up work for the project.  

Clarkstown town Supervisor Alexander Gromack said this project and others throughout the state are affected by the state's budget impasse in Albany. However, Gromack said that after a meeting with the contractor two weeks ago, the company agreed to move forward with the project.

"This project is very important and we didn't want to lose another construction season," Gromack said.

Construction alert signs have been placed along the roadway in West Nyack and state DOT officials advise motorists to expect continuing traffic delays through this area and to watch out for construction signalmen.

This section of Route 59 is very busy because of its connections to the Palisades Interstate Parkway and nearby New York State Thruway interchanges in West Nyack and Nyack. Motorists looking to avoid eastbound tie ups on the Thruway through West Nyack frequently use this section of Route 59 to bypass the congestion and leapfrog to the Nyack entrance to the Thurway for faster access to the Tappan Zee Bridge.

The project, long-awaited by the Town of Clarkstown to help alleviate flooding problems, is designed to address the deteriorated condition and low clearances of the bridges that carry Route 59 over Sickletown Road, Western Highway, the CSX railroad and the Hackensack River. The bridges over Sickletown Road, Western Highway and the CSX railroad will be replaced. The supporting beams and the pavement of the bridge over the Hackensack River also will be replaced.

The new Western Highway and CSX railroad bridges will provide vertical clearances that meet or exceed current standards – 14 feet for highways and 22 feet for railroads.  The existing "Low Clearance" signs under the Western Highway Bridge will be removed.

The project also includes various improvements to the roadway and pedestrian access, especially at the crossing from Palisades Center to the West Nyack ShopRite.

A lane will be added along eastbound Route 59 between the entrance ramp from Sickletown Road and Doscher Avenue.  This new lane will provide a safer area for the entering and exiting traffic.

A sidewalk will be added along the westbound side of Route 59, from the ramp to West Nyack Road to the driveway area for the mall and ShopRite. Along the eastbound side of Route 59, a sidewalk will be added from the mall and ShopRite driveways to the Route 303 ramps. The new sidewalks will service the existing bus shelters. Also, the projects adds a cross walk and pedestrian signals at the driveway to the mall and ShopRite.

The pavement within the project limits will be resurfaced and new barrier will be placed in the median. The pavement along Route 59 from the mall driveway to the State Route 303 ramps will be raised approximately 18 inches. This additional height will reduce the frequency of road closures due to flooding and will return the pavement to its original elevation, according to the DOT.

Completion of the project was set for the fall of 2011. Route 59 will operate with one lane in each direction as the bridges are rebuilt. Travelers are advised to watch for flagging personnel and occasional traffic stoppages as this work progresses.

Clarkstown officials say that additional working being planned by the town in that vicinity is geared to further reducing flooding problems along Route 59 in West Nyack.