Stony Point Bridge: 129 Feet Later

Bart — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 11:20:59 +0000

The James A Farley Bridge job is moving at along at a breakneck pace, and with a large majority of the bridge completed as we write this post. Working overtime and weekends, Harrison and Burrowes have certainly worked hard to get this job done in a fast and efficient manner. Many thanks to the Town of Stony Point officials, the NY State Department of Transportation and Rockland County Highway Department for making this job as painless to the public as possible.

Detours and distractions are the norm when you demolish a bridge on a State Highway, and the plan to redirect the Route 9W traffic around the bridge seemed to work like a charm. The simple fact that the the local plants and quarry’s are running at 25% capacity due to economic conditions also played into this scenario, but when all is said and done, the plan to demolish the span and rebuild it in place was the winning hand.

The rebuilding process, which was taken on as an emergency project for NY State D.O.T. region 8, looks like it may be done in early November 2009. The above is a video of the steel girders being delivered to the job site in August. This video is part 5 of the PilotCar.TV coverage of the Over Dimensional moves needed to make this bridge job possible. Again, Kudos to all involved and we hope for a safe finish to this emergency rebuild.

Rockland County Route 108:Cooperation in North Rockland

Bart — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:37:41 +0000

You really have to hand it to the Rockland County Highway Department and the New York State Department of Transportation. If you take a little ride along County Road 108 in North Rockland, you will see a widening and improvement project that has been planned in anticipation of, instead of reaction to, the Route 9W bridge replacement.

After an emergency closure and repair of the 9W bridge in Stony Point last summer, the Beach Road/Route 108 detour was a key to relieving most of the 9W congestion. Stony Point Town officials asked for assistance as temporary closures forced traffic onto Lowland Hill, East and West Main Streets in Stony Point, and onto otherwise local routes.

As plans for a Route 9W closure and a full-time detour via Route 108 for the eventual bridge replacement came together, the RC Highway and NYS DOT sat down and planned this rehab project. The various improvements being made now will make a world of difference to those who regularly travel this riverfront and commercial corridor. When the replacement project starts, now scheduled for Spring of 2009, the road should be ready for the added volume and larger sized trucks that are sure to use the road. Its good to see the County Highway Department and NYS DOT have combined forces and committed to widening and improving this busy North Rockland route and getting it done before we need it.

Funding for the improvements, which come at a time when funding is scarce, are borne mainly by the New York State DOT, and rightfully so. The Farley Bridge is a major DOT problem here in the Hudson Valley, and they need to get this right. The rehab includes a widening of turns, improvements in lines of sight, guardrails, drainage, and signage that is sure to improve safety.

You have to give a big hand to Skip Vezzetti at the RC Highway Department and Sandra Jobson of New York State DOT for taking this job on. As I have said here on many occasions, these major public works jobs need to be managed in an intelligent and cooperative manner and from the looks of it, the James A Farley Bridge job has gotten off to an excellent start. Thanks to all involved.

Editors Note: The bridge bids are in. Assuming they award to the lowest bidder.

The Bank Corner » Rockland County Highway Department

Stony Point Bridge: 129 Feet Later

Rockland County Route 108:Cooperation in North Rockland