Transportation Planning

The Rockland County Planning, Public Transportation, and Highway Departments work together with the Office of the County Executive, the County Legislature, local municipalities, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), the New York State Thruway Authority, and MTA Metro-North Railroad to formulate transportation policy to improve Rockland County's multi-modal transportation network.

On a regional level, Rockland County works with Westchester and Putnam Counties, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), the New York State Thruway Authority, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to create a Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) for the Mid-Hudson South region. The TIP lists all federally funded transportation projects for the region.

Rockland County is an active part of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC), our area's Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) responsible for coordinating and administering federal funding for eligible transportation planning and construction projects. The NYMTC region includes Rockland, Westchester, Putnam, Nassau and Suffolk Counties and New York City.

Rockland County also participates in a number of federally mandated transportation planning programs, including the long-range Regional Transportation Plan (RTP).

Public participation in the transportation planning process is achieved through outreach via press and media, and through public forums as arranged by the Planning, Public Transportation and Highway Departments, Office of the County Executive, the County Legislature, and public forums sponsored by regional transportation agencies.

Learn more about getting involved in the NYMTC Regional Transportation Planning Process.

Major Regional Transportation Projects

Major regional transportation projects in which Rockland County has participated:

• Route 59 Area Transportation & Land Use Study
• New NY Bridge (Tappan Zee) Replacement Project
• Lower Hudson Transit Link Project
• Access to the Region's Core

• Route 303 Sustainable Development Study

 

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Rockland County Railroad Crossing Safety & Quiet Zone Project - West Shore Line

A new Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Rule made effective in 2006 provided an opportunity for Rockland County to begin work to improve safety at railroad crossings and mitigate the effects of freight train horn noise on the West Shore Line by establishing a Quiet Zone, once the required Supplemental Safety Measures (SSMs) are approved and constructed. Rockland County is the lead agency to improve safety at 13 grade crossings along 23 miles of the CSX West Shore (River) freight line in Rockland County. The County initiated this project in response to public concern over safety concerns and increased noise at railroad crossings. Once the crossings are enhanced with the required Supplemental Safety Measures (SSMs), the County will seek to establish a Quiet Zone under the Federal Railroad Administration Rule Part IV, Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration 49 CFR Parts 222 and 229 (Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings Final Rule). A Quiet Zone is a section of a rail line that contains one or more consecutive railroad crossings at which locomotive horns are not routinely sounded.

The project is designing and constructing the required SSMs at the highway-rail grade crossings between Andre Avenue in Orangetown and Railroad Avenue in Haverstraw (Phase I). Phase II of the project involves six private crossings to the North. The overall goal is to improve safety and quality of life for the residents of Rockland County.

The project is currently progressing with its Right-of-Way Acquisition phase to secure the small additional parcels needed to construct the necessary supplemental safety measures such as 4-quadrant gates.

Project Timeline & Work Completed

 

 

2002

• Rockland County completes Railroad Crossing Safety and Train Whistle Study.

2003

• Rockland County asks local elected officials to join the county in urging the Federal Railroad Administration to make final their proposed rulemaking on the use of locomotive horns at highway grade crossings.

2004

• Rockland County submitted applications to the three Congressional reps for federal funding under SAFETEA-LU.

 2005

• Rockland County releases Request For Proposal (RFP) to hire Engineering firm for Design & Engineering
• Federal Railroad Administration finalized and publishes in the Federal Register its new Rule to allow communities to establish “Quiet Zones” (delayed for 4 years)
• Rockland County completed review of six technical proposals for Engineering and Design
• Six year SAFETEA-LU transportation bill is approved and Rockland County is awarded $3.6 million. (County will need to provide local match 20%)
• Rockland County sends Initial Project Proposal and Project Management Plan to New York State DOT Local Project Unit. (all federal transportation funds flow through NYSDOT)
• Project is given Temporary PIN on the Transportation Improvement Program.
• County has completed RFP - County contract with consultant is on hold pending Local Project Agreement by NYSDOT.
• Congress passes appropriations for SAFETEA-LU funds.
• Rockland County submitted “Notice of Intent” letters to CSX Transportation headquarters and Thomas Madison, NYSDOT Commissioner in accordance with final rule informing those agencies that Rockland County will be the lead agency in establishing “Quiet Zones” on the West Shore Line.
• 20% of funds received from Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) SAFETEA-LU have been obligated to NYSDOT for this project.
• Sent letter to NYSDOT Local Project Unit to ask that the Local Project Agreement process be fast tracked.

 2006 

• Federal Railroad Administration's Final Rule on the Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings (49 CFR Parts 222 and 229) goes into effect.
• Sent letter again to NYSDOT Local Project Unit to ask that the Local Project Agreement process by fast tracked.

• No movement from NYSDOT to Execute the Agreement –numerous letters to Commissioner (DELAY of 1 year)

2007

• Sent letter again to NYSDOT Local Project Unit to fast track the Local Project Agreement between NYSDOT and the County in order for the county to be reimbursed the federal share (DELAY of 1 year)
• NYSDOT gives County “Authorization to Proceed” with Preliminary Engineering Review
• NYSDOT, FRA, FHWA, and CSX/Diagnostic Team Review 

2008

• NEPA process begins, NYSDOT signed off, work with CSX on Fully executed Agreement for Preliminary Design.
• Work with CSX & NYSDOT Highway-Rail Safety Division.
• Work with FRA requirements for SSMs at the 13 crossings.

 2009

• Authorization to Proceed with Detailed Design from NYSDOT. (DELAY of 1 year)

 2010

• Diagnostic Team Review (DTR) held June 2010.
• NYSDOT discussions regarding gate crossing and 4 quad gates.
• Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing held on October 12, 2010 to make special improvements to two crossings. (Highview Ave & Greenbush) (DELAY of 2 years)
• Results of ALJ Hearing received June 3, 2011. Approval to convert Highview Ave to One-Way and improvements on Greenbush Rd. (DELAY of 8 months)
• Performed FRA-required Quiet Zone risk calculations for each crossing
• Begin work on Detailed Design with NYSDOT/County/CSX railroad
• Established Railroad Force Account with CSX
• Worked on Signal Pre-emption Trap and Calculations required by NYSDOT
• Prepared Right of Way maps for NYSDOT and CSX to review.
• CSX Design team review of timing of gates and location of CSX equipment.
• Developed Highway Construction plan for work outside the CSX ROW.
• Utilities review plan (DELAYED)
• CSX Design Team review location of CSX equipment.
• On-going Right of Way map development for NYSDOT and CSX to review.
• NEPA Re-evaluation approvals.
• ROW Plan development.

 2014-2019

• Obtained NYSDOT Authorization to Proceed with Detailed Design.
• Right of Way Acquisition Authorization received.
• CSX Design team review of location of CSX equipment.
• Detailed Design Report: developed CSX RR draft agreements, developed municipal agreements, detailed plans, final plan specs and estimates
• All railroads mandated by FRA to install Positive Train control (PTC) equipment nationwide. All CSX staff now diverted to PTC mandate to meet federal deadline. (Delay of 3 years)

2020/2021/2022 (COVID & recovery)

• CSX staff reduction drastically impacts project review
• ROW DELAYED - Consultant engineering firm staff changes
• Consultant engineering firm is being acquired by new engineering firm
• (DELAY of 3 years)

 2023/2024 

• ROW delays continued
• Project management changes (consultant and sub-consultant)
•  Bergmann Engineering is now an entity of Colliers Engineering
• Created Highway Construction plans for outside of CSX ROW and finalized the Utilities Review Plan
• Created the PS&E (Plans, Specifications & Estimates) highway construction documents

 2024/2025 

• New staff members in NYSDOT Office of Rail in Albany are brought into project 
• Completing ROW Acquisition Phase

2025 and Beyond

• Establish construction agreement with CSX.
• Provide advanced funding to CSX (Railroad Force Account) for construction work.
• Meet with CSX, local municipal officials and NYSDOT.
• Hold Public Information Update Meeting.
• NYSDOT/CSX review and approval of Construction Plans, Specifications and Estimates.
• Issue the construction bid for highway work, begin Construction and Construction Inspection. Submit Completed Quiet Zone Request to FRA/CSX/NYSDOT.
• Final Quiet Zone Implementation for 13 crossings.             

 

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Other Transportation Planning Projects

Other transportation planning projects that Rockland County has lead include:

• Route 59 Corridor Transit Needs Study Executive Summary
• Countywide Bus Stop Study Executive Summary

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New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC)

Since the 1970's, Federal transportation legislation has mandated that all urbanized areas with a population over 50,000 must have a designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in order to qualify for Federal transportation funding. Created in 1982 as the MPO for New York City, Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) provides a collaborative planning forum to address transportation-related issues from a regional perspective; undertakes studies for transportation improvements; forecasts future conditions and needs; pools the resources and expertise of its member agencies to plan for transportation and development in the region; and makes decisions on the use of Federal transportation funds.

The NYMTC planning area covers 2,440 square miles and a population of 12.4 million, which was approximately 64% of New York State's population based on 2010 Census counts.

Transportation Planning Products

• RTP - Regional Transportation Plan
• TIP - Transportation Improvement Program
• UPWP - Unified Planning Work Program

NYMTC's work program is developed annually. It defines the priorities in the planning area and describes all transportation-related activities anticipated within a given program year. The work program also indicates which of these planning activities will receive federal funding. Its successful completion each year enables federal funding assistance to undertake planning activities by NYMTC's staff and its members.

Transportation Demand Management (TDM) and The 511NY Rideshare Program

The goal of Rockland's Transportation Demand Management (TDM) and 511NY's Rideshare Program (866-692-6668) is to improve mobility and access, reduce congestion and air pollution, and increase safety. These programs work to reduce drive alone travel by promoting walking, bicycling, carpooling, van pooling, public transportation, and other alternatives. The County works cooperatively with citizens, businesses, and institutions throughout Rockland and neighboring counties of Westchester, Orange, and Bergen.

If you are a business, employee, or resident interested in finding out more about transportation options, please contact 511NY Rideshare at 866-692-6668 or the County's Transportation Demand Management office at 845-364-2064.

General transportation information including bus and train schedules can be obtained by calling the Rockland Transit Information Center at 845-364-3333.