Work to replace Northway bridge in Colonie to start Monday

PHOTOGRAPHER: Haley Viccaro

Work will begin Monday to replace the highway bridges that carry the Adirondack Northway over Albany-Shaker Road in Colonie, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday.

The $22.3 million project will build replacement bridges in between the existing northbound and southbound spans and partly on the old spans, according to a news release from the governor’s office. Once the new bridges are completed the existing structures will be removed.

Construction is expected to be finished by the end of October.

“This project will replace two aging bridges along one of the busiest stretches of the Northway, upgrading an interstate highway that is critcally important not just to New York, but to the entire northeast,” Cuomo said in a statement.

During construction, Northway traffic will have access to three lanes in both directions during peak commuting hours. Some temporary lane closures will be required during off-peak hours. The Exit 4 ramps may also be closed temporarily with detours provided.

Schoharie County contractor Lancaster Development, Inc. is working with Tully Construction Co, Inc. of Queens on the project. The two bridges, constructed in 1959, carry an average of 102,000 vehicles a day, Cuomo said.

“This project should go a long way toward improving access to Albany International Airport and businesses in the surrounding areas, as well as to provide a better overall traffic flow for travelers and residents driving through,” Assemblyman Phil Steck, D-Colonie, said in a statement.