Long-awaited project for Peekskill Hollow Rd to begin this spring

Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell announced that a long-awaited construction project to improve the safety of Peekskill Hollow Road from Oscawana Lake Road to Lovers Lane, including the Putnam Valley High School intersection, will begin in the spring.

“This work will make the road safer for students going to school, for pedestrians in the business district and for drivers on Putnam Valley’s busiest road,” County Executive Odell said. “We’ve gotten a lot of input from the community and have come up with a plan that works for all.” 

The project will rehabilitate the two bridges that cross over Peekskill Hollow Creek, align the roadway, widen the lanes and shoulders and improve drainage.  Traffic signs and signals will also be upgraded, and sidewalks will be improved and extended in the hamlet.

The project, which will be 80% funded by federal grants, was put out to bid this month and a contractor has not yet been chosen.

“This is the most significant infrastructure project on a county road in 20 years,” said Fred Pena, Commissioner of the Putnam County Highway and Facilities Department.  “It is all in the name of public safety, meeting today’s standard, while fitting within the community’s aesthetics.”

The county highway department has invested significant funds in Putnam Valley over the years and rehabilitated Oscawana Lake Road, Church Street, other areas of Peekskill Hollow Road and, most recently, Mill Street and the Mill Street Culvert.

Putnam Valley Supervisor Sam Oliverio praised the County Executive and County Highway Department for reclaiming the Grant money that had been encumbered over 20 years ago by the advocacy of then Congresswoman Sue Kelly.  Through the County’s hard work and diligence, the monies were again made available and the project is now moving forward.  The replacement of the Peekskill Hollow Bridge just South of the Town’s High School and the addition of substantial road improvements and drainage will make the route from Lover’s Land to Oregon Corners much safer and secure for all travelers, especially the Town’s school children.  Oliverio also praised the County for limiting the original project to just that stretch of road from Lover’s Lane to Oregon Corners.  The original plan in 1999 was to extend the project from Oregon Corners North to Rt. 301 in Kent.  With this new much revised plan, the historical nature of that length of historic roadway from Adams Corners to Rt. 301 will be preserved.