Chestnut Ridge to Get New Sidewalks on Saddle River Road, Funded by $1.7 Million County Grant from Legislator Joel Friedman

After months of planning that included designing and engineering the entire project, a major new stretch of sidewalk on Saddle River Road in Chestnut Ridge is ready to break ground. Construction is expected to begin at the end of July and run for about three months.

The project will build new curbs and sidewalks along the Chestnut Ridge side of Saddle River Road, running from the Terrace Court area up to the New York State Thruway area. Along the way it passes a number of the residential side streets that feed onto Saddle River Road, including Terrace Court, Millrose Lane, Margetts Road, Keith Drive, Andrew Drive and Quackenbush Lane. In all, that is a mile of roadway that residents currently walk without a safe, dedicated sidewalk.

Saddle River Road is a Rockland County road (County Road 73). The funding is a $1.7 million county grant that Legislator Joel Friedman secured, and the entire Village of Chestnut Ridge sits in his district (District 15). The village engineer designed the project. Rockland County has already reimbursed the village for the engineering work and issued the final permit, so the project is a go.

The sidewalks are being built on the Chestnut Ridge side of Saddle River Road, which is the two-way road that borders both Chestnut Ridge and the Village of Airmont. The project also makes the road safer for drivers. Right now people often walk in or along the roadway itself, and giving them a proper sidewalk keeps everyone safer.

Rockland County Legislator Joel Friedman, who secured the funding, said the project comes down to keeping residents safe.

“Saddle River Road carries a tremendous amount of foot traffic, and for too long people have had no choice but to walk in the road,” Friedman said. “I’m proud to have secured the full $1.7 million to build these sidewalks and make this stretch safer for everyone who uses it. I was involved every step of the way to make sure the county and the village worked closely together on this. It is a new countywide initiative, and the county plans to bring it to other areas as well, including the Village of Airmont, which is also in my district. I want to thank the Village of Chestnut Ridge for being a true partner every step of the way, and I’m also grateful to the Town of Ramapo, to Supervisor Michael Specht, and to his Chief of Staff Mona Montal, who was instrumental in helping get this off the ground. I also want to thank County Executive Ed Day and Stephen Powers, the county’s Intergovernmental Relations and Public Policy Director, for their support. This is what happens when the county, the town, and the village work together for the people we all serve.”

Mayor Rosario Presti, Jr. said the project reflects both strong support at the county and careful planning at home.

“This is a real step forward for our residents, and it happened because of Legislator Joel Friedman’s work at the county,” Presti said. “A project like this only works when it’s designed right, and I want to thank our village engineer, Martin Spence of Spence Engineering, for the careful work that got these plans approved and ready to build. This is going to make Saddle River Road safer for everyone who uses it.”

Deputy Mayor Chaim Rose looked ahead to the work getting underway.

“This is a real win for our residents, and the credit goes to Legislator Joel Friedman,” Rose said. “He allocated the full $1.7 million for new sidewalks on Saddle River Road for the residents of the Village of Chestnut Ridge. We’re looking forward to seeing the work get underway, and it reflects the kind of everyday improvement we’re always working toward across the village, streets that are safer and easier to walk.”

Village Trustee Shmuli Fromovitz focused on what the project will mean day to day for the families who live there.

“This is for every family and every pedestrian who uses this road, anyone out for a walk or pushing a stroller, and it makes the road safer for drivers too, especially at night,” Fromovitz said. “It fits a broader effort, since over the past few years the village has installed a substantial number of street lights throughout Chestnut Ridge. But make no mistake, this project is happening for one reason, and that is Legislator Joel Friedman. Joel secured the full $1.7 million and made sure every dollar was earmarked for Saddle River Road and our residents. His leadership delivered this, and the entire village owes him our deepest thanks.”

The final construction plans, approved by the Rockland County Highway Department, call for new curbing and sidewalks along the corridor, together with related grading and drainage improvements where needed.

Residents can expect the usual construction activity along Saddle River Road once work begins at the end of July, with the project on track to wrap up in the fall.