Palisades Updates: HNA, NYS DOT and Rockland Coaches
RT 9W AND OAK TREE ROAD:
Since 2008, the community has actively pursued safety improvements to the Paliades corridor of RT 9W and its intersection. Although we have had the support of Orangetown representatives, changes are under the jurisdiction of the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT). At our last meeting in November 2018, which was attended by Ellen Jaffee, Supervisor Chris Day, representatives from Senator Carlucci’s office, the Orangetown Highway, Police, Traffic Advisory and community members, the attending DOT representatives agreed to lower the 45 mph speed limit to 40 mph, but all other safety improvements to the intersection would be bundled together with over 30 other Regional requests and put out to bid in the spring of 2020, with work scheduled for sometime in 2021. In preparation of the bids going out, a meeting is scheduled for this month to review and confirm all safety improvements that we’ve advocated for. Over the last four months, there have been three serious accidents at the intersection, and we have requested that the very short light (for travelers going east or west) be lengthened as soon as possible.
HNA OF PALISADES PROPERTY
At press time there is nothing new on the reported sale of HNA. Vasco Ventures, which is under contract to purchase HNA for $40 million, filed for bankruptcy on September 12, defaulting on the contract because an investor pulled out. Vasco Ventures was then given an extension until November 12 to raise the money. Vasco’s plans for the property have not been announced.
ROCKLAND COACHES:
Thank you to commuters who continue to e-mail their bus arrival times to Rt9wbus@ gmail.com. These times will be used at our follow-up meeting this month with Rockland Coaches General Manager, Matt Bowen. Two major improvements commuters can look forward to in the near future are GPS and improved ticketing. Rockland Coaches is moving forward with an application called “MCTS,” which will provide passengers with two electronic services:
1- passengers will be able to purchase an E-Ticket on their phone and
2- will be able to see GPS and live information on their particular bus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
This is a work in process with no firm date. However, Rockland Coaches hopes it will be activated by the end of the first quarter of 2020. This would be a big improvement; we stand firm that reliable, on-time bus service is what people want and need.