Route 59 reopens both directions following closures prompted by flooding
All eastbound vehicles – including giant trucks -- were being diverted through the ShopRite parking lot across the street.
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All lanes on Route 59 reopened on Friday after flooding led to closures on the roadway.
Police said it usually takes up to a day for water to recede.
All eastbound vehicles – including giant trucks -- were being diverted through the ShopRite parking lot across the street.
Part of the problem is the nearby Hackensack River when every time there is heavy rain, the water jumps the banks. Adding further to the problem is Route 59 east is a state-owned road which means local road crews aren't allowed to fix the problem. The state has to do it.
Clarkstown's Town Supervisor George Hoehmann and other local lawmakers have been pushing the state and federal governments to perform long-term fixes, including dredging the river.
This roadway is a major east-west artery in Rockland County, so it's heavily traveled and last year alone flooding forced at least one side of the highway to be closed 16 times.
The states’ Department of Transportation is getting federal funds to study flood mitigation in the area.
