Temporary span enables traffic to flow again on Sitterly Road Bridge

April 14 Northway crash closed lanes; detours caused delays

The Sitterly Road Bridge over the Northway between exits 9 and 8A reopened Saturday, the state Department of Transportation said.

The bridge has been closed since April 14 when it was hit by a commercial vehicle traveling south on the Northway.

“NYSDOT installed a temporary span over the southbound lanes on May 2 and has worked since then to install approaches, ramps, pavement and railing connecting to the new bridge. The speed limit over the Northway on Sitterly Road has been reduced to 30 mph and the temporary bridge is restricted for overweight/ oversized loads,” DOT said in a statement.

The accident caused widespread detours and travel delays as the southbound Northway lanes had to be closed to deal with the incident.

Trips of 10 minutes took as long as 60 minutes as traffic backed up, according to people call in the delays at the time.

State Police ticketed a 56year-old Colonie man who was driving the Admar Construction Equipment & Supplies truck involved in the crash. The driver was southbound on the Northway when a boom lift on the truck's trailer hit the overpass, knocking the lift onto the highway and forcing the temporary closure of all three southbound lanes between exits 9 and 8A.

Transportation officials said they are working on preliminary designs for a permanent replacement bridge.

Paul Buckowski / Times Union Work continued May 2 on the Sitterly Road Bridge above the Northway in Clifton Park weeks after a truck towing a trailer with a boom lift struck and damaged the overpass.