Road construction may cause summer delays

07 May Road construction may cause summer delays

Now that the ice and snow has cleared, DPW crews are hard at work maintaining our local roadways. A few significant projects could have a impact on the time it takes visitors to reach a destination or event this summer, so they are important to be aware of.

Essex County

Two separate projects on Route 73 in Keene right now:

•  Workers are replacing the Route 73 bridge over the East Branch of the Ausable River in Keene, locally known as the “Post Office Bridge.” This bridge has been reduced to one alternating lane controlled by traffic signals. Work is scheduled to be completed by November. The bridge will be open to two travel lanes in late July to accommodate the annual Ironman Triathlon.
• Another project will replace seven different bridges along Route 73 in the town of Keene over this year and next year. These seven bridges are being replaced as part of New York State’s Scour Critical/Flood Prone Bridge Program. Right now, the bridge over the Johns Brook Overflow is being worked on, with traffic there reduced to one alternating lane with traffic signals. The closure and traffic patterns for the remaining six bridges are being developed.

Franklin County

A $15.6 million reconstruction of state Routes 3 and 30 in Tupper Lake began in March. The work will include full reconstruction of the highway and replacement of water and sewer lines, storm drainage, curbs and sidewalks, plus the addition of plantings, ornamental lighting, benches, pocket parks and ornamental pavers.

The mile-long project begins near the intersection of Wawbeek Avenue (state Route 30) and Queen Street through the intersection of Routes 3 and 30 at Park and Mill streets. One leg of the project extends along state Routes 3 and 30 ending near the intersection with McLaughlin Avenue, and another leg of the project follows state Route 3 and ends near the intersection with Pleasant Avenue.

It’s scheduled to be finished by Fall 2016.

Hamilton County 

There are no significant projects that the DOT expects to hold up traffic in Hamilton County, but some smaller road work could have an impact here and there.

• Route 30 in Fulton and Hamilton counties will be paved. It begins on county Route 152 to 1 mile north of Northville Road. The schedule is not yet set for this project, but the goal is to complete it by the end of this construction season.

• DOT will be replacing and repairing culverts in Herkimer/Hamilton/Oneida counties. There isn’t a specific date for construction as of yet, but it will happen sometime this summer.

• Route 30 in Hamilton County, beginning at Bennett Road to Wells, will be paved. Construction is scheduled to begin at the end of June or early July.