Service boosted for Parkway drivers
Senator James Skoufis has announced that construction has been completed for two cell phone towers in the notorious ‘dead zone’ on the Palisades Parkway between Orange and Rockland Counties. The two towers are located at the Overlook Lodge in Bear Mountain State Park and at the south end of the Anthony Wayne Recreation Area. Together, they have significantly boosted cell service along most of the northern stretches of the Palisades Parkway.
Last year, Skoufis stood with local EMS and lawmakers at the Anthony Wayne Recreation Area in Bear Mountain to call on Verizon to prioritize construction on the two cell phone towers. They highlighted the immediate need, citing multiple safety issues this zone has caused for first responders and commuters alike.
Shortly thereafter, the Anthony Wayne Recreation Area was transformed by the state into a COVID-19 drive-thru testing site. Front line workers as well as residents getting tested for the virus had to drive through this dangerous dead zone while navigating uncharted territory in the pandemic. This only further emphasized the necessity for quality reception in this area.
Construction for the towers began in July 2020 and completed this past December. While the two towers were being constructed, Verizon installed a temporary “Cell on Wheel” to ensure those traveling to and from the testing site were able to have service. Both towers are now fully active and have been taking traffic for the last month. Other major carriers will be able to use the towers and the surrounding area will benefit from the expanded E911 coverage.
Skoufis said, “I’m thrilled that our efforts to bring service to this notorious dead zone were successful. My gratitude toward Verizon for doing the right thing for our residents and EMS by expediting this project, as well as installing a temporary cell tower during construction. Thousands of New Yorkers continue to drive through this previous ‘dead zone’ and these improvements will undoubtedly help keep residents and visitors safe, as well as make EMS services more accessible around Bear Mountain.”
