The Federal Transportation Bill of 2005 allotted a significant amount of funds for the reconstruction of the Short Clove Road and Route 9W intersection, which includes construction of twin-bridge overpasses that will carry Short Clove Road over the West Shore Rail Line below. The current intersection is known to be one of the worst in New York State due to high train activity, steep grades, and heavy trucking from the Tilcon quarrying operation nearby. The following press release from the office of New York Senator Charles Schumer details funding and construction plans:
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on New York State to expedite construction on the bridge overpass over the intersection of U.S. Route 9W and Short Clove Road in Haverstraw. Although original indications were that construction could begin as early as 2007, construction is now slated to start in 2009. Schumer helped secure $6 million in federal funding to construct the bridge overpass in the Transportation Reauthorization Bill of 2005.
“The U.S. Route 9W and Short Clove Road bridge overpass project is vital to the Village of Haverstraw,” Schumer said. “This busy corridor gets congested with heavy traffic on a day to day basis and trains frequently block emergency vehicles traveling throughout the region and cause more traffic. The overpass will make much- needed safety improvements to the intersection, improve the flow of traffic, and benefit redevelopment of the waterfront and the Village center. That is why the DOT needs to make this project a priority and begin construction as soon as possible after the design is completed. I would still like to see construction begin next year.”
The overpass in Haverstraw will improve safety and directly benefit planned and current redevelopment of the waterfront within the Village, aiding the economic growth of the Village center and strengthening the area economy as traffic flow through the intersection is improved. The intersection is dangerous because of its slope, configuration, and the active freight rail right of way. With nearly sixty freight trains crossing the intersection daily, the train cars frequently block emergency vehicles traveling throughout the region and regularly block traffic flow on U.S. Route 9W. This interchange is also the primary road for access to the Hudson River Ferry, so it handles heavy commuter traffic for the growing ferry service. In addition, U.S. Route 9W is the principal evacuation route in case of emergency evacuation related to the Indian Point Nuclear Energy Center because the Village of Haverstraw is within the “Emergency Planning Zone” designated by the State of New York Emergency Management Office and Rockland County.
In a personal letter to Thomas J. Madison, Jr., Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation, Schumer wrote, “As you can see, we cannot afford a delay on the construction of this overpass. The federal and state funds are in place to begin this project. I urge you to make this important project a top priority for construction in 2007. The Village of Haverstraw is at an economic crossroads, and the construction of this overpass would be of great help.”
HaverstrawLife.com 
Jared,
I continue to be impressed by the good work you do here!
Keep up the good work.
Hope to see you at the Ferry Go Round on the 17th,
Liz – Harbors
I just want to thank you for accomodating my friends and I at this year’s Ferry Go Round! It was a great day, and I’m sure the event was a great success, like always. Thanks so much!
Amen!!
a recent truck accident at the intersection prompted Schumer to make a statement to the DOT once again, to push up construction dates from 2008. The project has already been pushed up to 2008 from late 2009. We might get this bridge sooner than later.
the accident was between a Tilcon truck and the freight train (CSX)
October 14th 2008 – A little over two years from the day this article was published the groundbreak ceremony occured at the site. Let’s all look forward to the next two years of construction with will result in move than an overpass but rather a gateway to the Village of Haverstraw. This project will be a game changing improvement to the Village of Haverstraw benefiting the community for the next centery. I know its “just a overpass” but its going to be amazing! You have no idea!
What’s up Tilcon and Haverstraw officials? A few years back about 2008 a major costly construction project was completed for the new Short Clove Road in Haverstraw that ws supposed to allow safe passage over the rail tracks and an upgraded roadway. Well the well made road has some issues of abuse regarding its safety that seem to come mostly from one source–the operations of Tilcon Rock Quarry/its clients who allow trucks and equipment of all sorts and semblance to line up and use it in a dangerous way along the roadside. Here are some potentially dangerous things the helpful roadway is being used to mask as follows:
1. I have been living in Haverstraw for years, driving behind Ticon client trucks up the old l Short Clove with little issues of rocks and dust flying off these trucks. When it did Tilcon cleaned up or put down water to keep dust down within trucks and on the roads. The “new” Tilcon seems to allow trucks that may not meet all safety requirements and has drivers of its clients without proper abilities (and maybe worse no licenses or duped ones). So often these trucks dump dust and big chunks of rocks on the new road as many can attest that the new “Tilcon” does not clean or regulate in any way. Dust clouds coming off these client trucks and Tilcon equipment is apparently unlawful but OSHA and the EPA have not been brought into the picture. They were fined at some time in the past by OSHA we heard but now the “new Tilcon is allowed to do whatever they want with both dust and drivers. The old Tilcon did not practice this way.
2. Yield signs have been placed on roadway of public roads giving priority to private entries of Tilcon’s dangerous trucks. Contra to safety concerns Tilcon has placed a new danger now that rails are eliminated; What’s up Tilcon? Yield signs giving right of way to private drives! This puts the obligation on drivers on bikes and small vehicles on the public roads when it should be onb the trucks. This allowing Tilcon right of way when clearly they are coming off the private roadway onto public road; plus filled sometimes improperly with rock/dust–what’s up Tilcon.. One can see long lines of Tilcon trucks or their client trucks lining the street in hazardous ways particularly during morning commutes. This never happened with the old Short Clove road so what’s up. Is this Tilcon coordination without police or town oversight? Is it unlicensed drivers or ones without experience? What’s up? If Tilcon needs space for parking use the old Short Clove; its there; its yours or use those big piles of dust near the Harbors of Haverstraw to park trucks.
3. Speaking of those big nasty looking piles of dust that leach out into the natural beauty of the Hudson river. Why were they not used for the new TZ bridge project. What’s up Tilcon and officials up for re-election? Did that contract leave Rockland county? This while those unusable and growing pile of dust are building up. Ugh.
Haverstraw Village has little to no say over Tilcon. The project was built by NY State DOT and Tilcon is a private company. Tilcon had no stake in the Short Clove Road project, as they are a private company. Again, Haverstraw has very little say over Tilcon’s operations and their use of the Short Clove Rd ramp.
I beleive there are clearly two or more issues which Haverstraw officials/residents may object to :
–Tilcon has placed a new danger now that rails are eliminated by Short Clove great project; What’s up Tilcon? Yield signs giving right of way to private drives! This puts the obligation on drivers on bikes and small vehicles on the public roads when it should be on the trucks as a Stop sign. This allowing Tilcon right of way when clearly they are coming off the private roadway onto public road; plus filled sometimes improperly with rock/dust–what’s up Tilcon.
— The “new” Tilcon seems to allow trucks that may not meet all safety requirements and has drivers of its clients without proper abilities (and maybe worse no licenses or duped ones). So often these trucks dump dust and big chunks of rocks on the new road as many can attest that the new “Tilcon” does not clean or regulate in any way. Dust clouds coming off these client trucks and Tilcon equipment is apparently unlawful but OSHA and the EPA have not been brought into the picture. They were fined at some time in the past by OSHA we heard but now the “new Tilcon is allowed to do whatever they want with both dust and drivers. The old Tilcon did not practice this way.