GSP South On-ramp - Grand Ave. Montvale. Still closed. WTAF?

When I first found this ramp closed, I figured they're doing some potholes or whatever and it'll be back in a few days. Now it's been weeks, and I'm hearing it'll be closed until summer??

Lots to unpack here, but I'll start with the obvious one: Why would a ramp need to be closed for this long already, much less months more to come? I can't imagine what improvements would need to be made that would take that long.

Moving on, assuming there's good reason for the closure, how about making the alternatives a little easier for people coming from everything east of the parkway? We already knew we can't make a left into the park & ride. Why not let people use the abundant and empty streets on that side to get over to Glen Rd. (exit 171) and make the obvious left to the southbound on-ramp. This would be much less stressful than waiting at the Grand Ave/Chestnut Ridge light to make the left, then run the gauntlet of the high school, all those businesses, and more traffic lights.

I believe the Montvale mayor (?) has already started an effort to undo the ridiculous left turn ban at the bottom of the exit 171 off-ramp onto Glen Rd. Why not finish the job and allow folks coming from both directions to use the on-ramp on that comparatively quiet road, particularly since it has two lanes there to allow folks to pass any cars waiting for a chance to turn left.