Catskill bridge over Thruway to close for replacement

CATSKILL — A $4.4 million project to replace the Cauterskill Road Bridge has begun, according to an announcement by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday.

About 879 vehicles travel over the bridge daily, according to a news release. The existing bridge, which was built in 1955 and carries Cauterskill Road over the Thruway, will be replaced with a more modern structure featuring a higher vertical clearance that will reach 16 feet, 8 inches; a safety guide rail; snow fencing; and a new riding surface.

While work began Thursday, the bridge will be open to traffic until Monday. At that point, a 12-mile detour will be in place. Construction is expected to be completed this fall, according to the release.

The Cauterskill Road Bridge is one of dozens of bridges over the Thruway that are more than 60 years old and need to be replaced, according to the governor’s office.

“The continued refurbishment and improvement of our roads and bridges is an important responsibility of the state, and I’m glad we’re once again committing significant resources to ensure the Cauterskill Road Bridge remains strong and reliable,” state Assemblyman Chris Tague said in a statement. “I’m grateful to Gov. Hochul and her team for their direction of another $4.4 million to our capital region infrastructure, and I’m glad to hear that our bridges will remain strong and secure for millions of more drivers.”

Latham-based Bette & Cring LLC is the project contractor following a competitive bidding process.

Motorists may encounter traffic slowdowns or stoppages on the Thruway during construction. Signs will advise motorists of the construction work and detour information, according to the release. Hochul’s office urged drivers to stay alert in posted work zones and remember that fines are doubled for speeding in work zones.

The work is being paid for as part of the Thruway Authority’s $451 million capital program, which is expected to invest $2.4 billion — including $451 million in 2024 — into infrastructure improvements over the next five years. The overall investment is expected to be $500 million higher following the recently enacted toll hike on the Thruway, according to the governor’s office.

The increased investment will lead to work on about half of the Thruway’s more than 2,800 lane miles, as well as projects on about 90 of the 817 bridges on the highway.

Earlier this week, Hochul announced the start of a $21.3 million infrastructure improvement project on the Thruway in Ulster and Greene counties which is also being funded by the Thruway Authority’s capital program and is expected to be completed by this fall. The project includes full and partial depth repairs and pavement resurfacing on a 15.5-mile section from milepost 93.8 to milepost 109.3 between exit 19 (Kingston-state Route 28-Kingston-rhinecliff Bridge) and exit 20 (Saugerties-woodstock-state Route 32) used by approximately 40,000 motorists every day.

“This investment to replace the nearly 70-year-old Cauterskill Road Bridge over Interstate 87 in Greene County will help ensure commuters have a safer ride and that our local infrastructure is better equipped to meet the challenges posed by severe weather. I thank the Thruway Authority and Gov. Hochul for their partnership in prioritizing the safety and maintenance of our roads and bridges,” state Sen. Michelle Hinchey said in a statement.