Paving the Palisades

Work begins this week on a $7 million project to pave and make other improvements on a northern section of the Palisades Interstate Parkway in the town of Stony Point in Rockland County and portions in Orange County; and also portions of Route 6.

“The Palisades Interstate Parkway and Route 6 are critical highways for Orange County and Rockland County commuters, carrying thousands of travelers each day and supporting the regional economy,” New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Matthew J. Driscoll said in a prepared statement. “With Governor Cuomo’s investment in critical transportation infrastructure projects, we will work to keep New York State’s essential roadways in good condition.”

About four miles of both the northbound and southbound sides of the Palisades Interstate Parkway will be paved, from the Bear Mountain Circle in Highlands to the Bookstore/Service Area on the Parkway in Stony Point. Two inches of asphalt and a thin overlay will be installed. Gutter, shoulder, and drainage work is also planned, as well as full restriping.

Additionally, a 3-mile segment of Route 6 between Route 293 and the Palisades Interstate Parkway will be resurfaced as part of the Governor’s Accelerated Paving Program. The work was moved up into this construction season due to damage from severe frosts last winter.

Drainage basins will be cleaned and repaired and gutters will be restored or installed as necessary. Centerline rumble strips will also be installed to reduce the incidence of head-on and opposite direction sideswipe collisions. The work will also include shoulder repairs and installation of pavement markings.

Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney said, “Repaving the Palisades Parkway will improve safety for the thousands of residents and visitors who use the road every day in the Hudson Valley. This refurbishment will also stimulate the economy by creating jobs and growing our local economy.”

Assemblyman James Skoufis said, “One of government’s most basic functions is to ensure our roads are safe for travel. With these infrastructure improvements, residents will finally be able to drive on the Palisades Parkway and Route 6 without worrying about navigating a dangerous minefield in order to avoid unnecessary and expensive damage to their vehicles. I thank the DOT for working to prioritize this critical work during the 2015 construction season.”

During the work, some parkway sections under construction may be fully closed to ensure the safety of motorists and work crews and there also may be nightly lane closures. When necessary, motorists will be detoured and signs will guide drivers back to the parkway. There may also be single-lane, off-peak, daytime lane closures. Paving is expected to be completed by the end of October, weather permitting.

The construction contractor for the project is Halmar International, LLC of Nanuet, Rockland County. All construction is scheduled to be completed by December 2015.

Motorists are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. In accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org, or our new mobile site at m.511ny.org.