DOT eyes lane closures on Route 787

COHOES, N.Y. » Motorists are advised to watch for single alternating left- and right-lane closures on southbound Route 787 in the city due to work on the Cohoes Boulevard project.

Officials recently began construction work to turn a dangerous stretch of 787 that runs through the city into a safer boulevard. The state is funding the over $10 million project.

Officials said the alternating lane closures and speedlimit reductions will occur between Saratoga Street (Route 32) and Tibbits Avenue from Tuesday, Sept. 4 to Friday, Sept. 7, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., weather permitting.

A news release from the Department of Transportation said it is imperative that motorists remember to drive carefully in work zones, for their own safety and the safety of workers.

NYSDOT and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee recently unveiled a new public service announcement and social media campaign focused on the importance of respecting flagging personnel. This year’s work zone safety campaign, “Flaggers have families too,” is designed to remind motorists that flagging personnel are not attempting to disrupt traffic — they are simply doing their jobs and want to get home safely at the end of each work day.

Motorists are also reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. In accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.