Originally Published in The Monsey Advocate by Daniel Friedman
The reconstruction project that is redefining the downtown area of Monsey on Maple Avenue and Monsey Boulevard, will be finishing shortly, according to Town Supervisor Christopher P. St. Lawrence.

The project, which began last August, was slated to take between a year-and-a-half and two years, but it is anticipated that the entire project will be completed by September, several months ahead of schedule. In fact, work has progressed so quickly that it would have been completed earlier, if not for the rainy summer.

The project includes a complete repaving of a large portion of Maple Avenue, the installation of about 40 antique street lights, new curbs, and new turning lanes on Maple Avenue and a bus lane on Monsey Boulevard. The ambitious project, which costs about $5 million, is intended to improve safety for residents and pedestrians, and improve traffic flow with the turning lanes.

Many drivers and others have complained in recent months about the increase in driving times they experienced while passing through the area. However, officials have stressed the point that while there are always some traffic issues created during construction, traveling times will improve dramatically once the project is done.

Meir Hirsch, a nearby resident, was pleased to hear that the work was almost completed. “I see work being done on it every day, and I can’t wait for it to be done,” he said. “This whole project is going to be very good for everyone,” he added.

The Advocate received numerous calls about the project to its Action Desk, which proceeded to look into the matter more closely. After those residents were called back and informed of the project’s progress, they were pleased that Supervisor St. Lawrence took their concerns into consideration.

“I am delighted to have been able to bring this project to completion before the new school year begins, as I had promised,” stated Supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence. He continued, “Students, pedestrians and motorists will enjoy a safer, upgraded and attractive new roadway.”

Supervisor St. Lawrence has made the Maple Avenue project one of the cornerstones of his current term in office. Traffic in the Route 306 area had become a growing concern, and this project was initiated to ease the burden and reinforce the infrastructure in the area.

St. Lawrence, who is seeking a fifth term in office, has been working on initiating and completing several similar projects, including the project on Union Road, which stalled for several months before he got involved. “That was a county project located in the village of Spring Valley,” he said recently, “but I went in there and got that project moving because so many people in the town of Ramapo demanded action on it. I work and get results.”