It’s been a bumpy ride for anyone driving along Shore Road, but that’s expected to change. The roadway, which parallels the Hudson River, has gone unpaved for over three decades, but is expected to receive new asphalt starting May 28.
However, in order to reap the reward of the end result, motorists have had to deal with some temporary frustration as preliminary work has forced the Department of Public Works to shut down the road.
Superintendent David Halvorsen said multiple storm drains had to be replaced ahead of repaving the road. He said the storm drains are 30 to 40 years old. The metal drains, which have corroded over the decades, are being replaced with plastic. In order to remove and replace the drains, workers had to dig up the asphalt completely across the road.
Toward the end of last year, Halvorsen received a $125,000 grant, from then Assemblyman James Skoufis, for the repaving and drainage improvements to Shore Road.
Although it’s been repaired and patched numerous times, it’s never been repaved in the 32 years Halvorsen has been working in the village. He said cold mix paving will be used rather than regular asphalt, because the material is more flexible for the water conditions on Shore Road. Halvorsen said the material has been used on a patch of the roadway between the railroad tracks and Wood Avenue. He talked to the manufacturer, who agreed Shore Road is a good candidate for the material.
Starting May 28, the road will receive a complete makeover from the railroad tracks to the town line. Work should be completed before RiverFest.
In addition, Curie Road and Idlewild Park Drive will also be repaved later this year. The project will be funded by another $100,000 grant secured by Senator Skoufis.
