Paving work planned in Capital Region

ALBANY, N.Y. » New York State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Paul A. Karas recently announced that work is underway on a $7.5 million project to pave six locations encompassing more than 25 miles of state roads in Greene, Albany, Rensselaer and Sara-

toga counties.

Officials said the paving will ensure the viability of vital routes of commerce in the four counties and keep the strong economic growth in these areas moving forward, as well as providing smoother travel for residents, commuters and visitors.

“Roads across the Capital Region are vital to a robust economy, which is why we are making these critical investments in Albany, Greene, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties,” Karas said in a news release. “The paving work we are performing this year will pay dividends for years to come in the Capital Region, helping to spur economic development while enhancing the lives of local communities.”

Officials said work will involve milling the top layer of old pavement and replacing it with a new asphalt surface, as well as repairing isolated deeper areas of damaged pavement. The department will also oversee traffic signal work and upgrades to sidewalk ramps where necessary along these stretches of road. Motorists should watch for alternating single lanes of traffic controlled by flaggers during project hours, a news release said.

Maintenance paving work keeps New York’s highways in a state of good repair, and this investment delays the need for more costly, in-depth repairs, according to state officials. The repair and modernization of the state’s transportation infrastructure will improve safety and ensure that state and local communities remain economically competitive. Work is set for: • Route 144 in the towns of Bethlehem and Coeymans, Albany County — between Route 396 in Selkirk and Stonehouse Hill Road in Coeymans. Paving of 3.7 miles is scheduled to begin June 18.

• Route 50 in the towns of Wilton and Northumberland, Saratoga County — between Perry Road in Wilton and Route 32 in Gansevoort. Paving of 7.8 miles is scheduled to begin on July 6.

• Route 7 in the town of Brunswick, Rensselaer County — between Leonard Avenue in Sycaway and Route 278 in Brunswick Center. Paving of 3.2 miles is scheduled to begin on July 9.

• Route 67 in the towns of Malta and Ballston, Saratoga County — between State Farm Boulevard in Malta and Route 50 in Ballston Spa. Paving of 3 miles is scheduled to begin on Sept. 6.

• Route 4 in the towns of Waterford and Halfmoon, Saratoga County — between Higgins Road in Waterford and South Main Street, south of Mechanicville. Paving of 5.3 miles is scheduled to begin on Oct. 1.

Motorists are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in work zones. 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’s license.

For real-time travel information, motorists should call 511 or visit www.511NY. org or the mobile site at m.511ny.org.