Bike, Pedestrian Bypass Opens in Orangetown

BLAUVELT, NY — A bike and pedestrian bypass intended to keep cyclists and walkers safer opened formally Friday at the intersection of Route 303 and Greenbush Road.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by Orangetown Supervisor Chris Day, state Senator David Carlucci, Councilman Paul Valentine, Orangetown Highway Department Superintendent James Dean, and members of the Rockland Bicycling Club.

“Now cyclists and walkers can avoid this dangerous section of Route 303,” said Day. “This a great example of what can be done when many different levels of government do work together for the benefit of the people.”

“Route 303 is a busy stretch with lots of traffic, and we have seen an accident here end fatally for a bike rider,” Carlucci said. “We have also seen multiple near misses because this intersection was a danger-zone.”

The quarter-mile bypass will allow cyclists to avoid a stretch of Route 303 that has four lanes of traffic but no shoulders. Cars travel at 45 mph. There have been, on average, 2-3 accidents a year at this spot involving cyclist or runners getting hit or run off the road by cars and trucks, officials said. The worst incident resulted in a fatality in 2003, when 72-year-old Robert Carl Pinckert was struck by a tractor-trailer.

Rockland County is a popular destination for cyclists and this bypass is a game changer, said Mike Hays, President of Rockland Bicycling Club.

"The addition of a Greenbush alternative for cyclists will take some of the stress off the only two corridor roads: crowded River Road in Grandview and the unsafe section of 9W from Sparkill to Nyack," Hays said. "Such options will become more important as the Shared User Path opens on the Mario Cuomo Bridge."

The bypass was the brainchild of Orangetown Councilman Paul Valentine.

“It was a pleasure taking part in the ribbon cutting ceremony for Orangetown's new bypass, allowing cyclists, runners and pedestrians to avoid having to navigate a dangerous portion of Route 303,” Valentine said. “This will save lives and allow for safer recreation in our Town.”

The well-traveled route towards Nyack crosses over Greenbush Road at Route 303.

"The Bypass makes possible a scenic tour of Orangetown along the Colonial route of the Kings Highway, passing historic sites and state and town parks," Hays said. "The Rockland Bicycling Club appreciates the efforts of many who brought this project to fruition, especially to Senator Carlucci for securing funding to promote safe cycling in Rockland County.”

Officials added that the Tappan Zee High School Cross Country Team runs by the intersection regularly and the bypass will also keep young student athletes safer.

“I'm very excited that we have been able to open this bike by-pass that will provide real safety for our biking and walking community,” said Jim Dean, Orangetown Superintendent of Highways. “This is an excellent example of State and Local Government working together to provide safety for our residents. Thanks Senator Carlucci; Jim Hall, Director of the Palisades Interstate Parks Commission; Orangetown Town Board led by Supervisor Chris Day; and Councilman Paul Valentine (primary sponsor) for making this happen.”