CHESTNUT RIDGE— Rockland County has completed the first project under its $30-million countywide “Sidewalk Safety Initiative”, delivering nearly one mile of new sidewalks along busy Saddle River Road in Chestnut Ridge here.

Rockland County officials joined local leaders and residents for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 22 marking the completion of the project. For years, pedestrians, including families with children, have had to walk along the edge of Saddle River Road, often dangerously close to passing vehicles. The new sidewalks provide a dedicated pedestrian route, separating walkers from traffic. The project also includes new curbs and improved driveway entrances, county officials stated.

The sidewalk improvements in Chestnut Ridge was a union project, according to Stephen Reich, Co-Vice President of the Building & Construction Trades Council of Rockland County, and was performed by contracting firm A-Tech Concrete of Edison NJ.

Rockland County Legislator Joel Friedman, a leading advocate for the project who worked closely with county officials to advance the improvements, said, “This is a major improvement for the families who live here and walk these roads every day. For too long, people have had to walk dangerously close to moving traffic. I made this project a priority because the need was clear, and I’m extremely pleased to see these sidewalks completed and residents finally able to use them.”