Publish Date : 29-Mar-2017
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced work is underway on a $17.1 million project to build two new bridges that will carry the Saw Mill River Parkway over Kisco River and Branch Brook into the towns of Mount Kisco and New Castle. The project is part of Governor Cuomo's $542 million Empire Bridge program, a key piece of New York's commitment to rebuilding critical infrastructure across New York State.
"With unpredictable and extreme weather on the rise, now is the time to strengthen critical bridge and parkway systems across New York to withstand future weather events," Governor Cuomo said. "This project is essential to the safety of New Yorkers throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley, and as we continue to rebuild our bridges and roadways, we will ensure this state is stronger and more resilient than ever before."
The project will include replacing the bridge that carries the Saw Mill River Parkway over the Kisco River and building a new bridge to replace the culvert that carries the Parkway over the Branch Brook. The two new bridges will be wider and five feet higher than the existing bridge and culvert to help prevent flooding and road closures during future extreme weather events. New guide rail, bridge rail and concrete median barrier along the Saw Mill River Parkway will also be installed as part of the project.
The project will be completed in two phases. The first phase will involve work and construction on the northbound side of the Saw Mill River Parkway, which is expected to take place April to July 2017. During that time, an onsite, temporary detour will shift northbound and southbound traffic to the existing southbound lanes. The second phase will include work and construction on the southbound side of the Parkway, which will take place between July and December 2017. During the second phase, traffic will be maintained on the newly constructed northbound lanes.
Some nighttime closures of this section of the Parkway may occur during construction of the new bridges, and traffic will be detoured using State Routes 117 and 133. The project is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2017.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Matthew J. Driscoll said, "Thanks to the Governor's Empire Bridge Program, 35 bridges in the Hudson Valley Region have been or will be replaced with stronger structures that will ensure access to emergency responders and the public, even during the worst of storms. The Governor's vision and foresight allows the Department to build better, safer roads and bridges that will last for generations to come."
Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey said, "The reconstruction projects in Mount Kisco and New Castle will make the Saw Mill River Parkway more resilient in extreme weather events and safer for everyone in our community. I am pleased the Empire Bridge Program will update critical infrastructure in the Lower Hudson Valley, and as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue working to increase federal investments in infrastructure."
State Senator Terrence Murphy said, "Investing in our local infrastructure is an important initiative that not only improves safety but provides local jobs and promotes economic development within our region. This project is of critical importance which will improve the Saw Mill Parkway and address the flooding issues that have plagued Mt. Kisco, New Castle and the surrounding areas."
Assemblyman David Buchwald said, "I am very pleased that Governor Cuomo's Empire Bridge program has come to New Castle and Mt. Kisco. The Saw Mill River Parkway is a vital thoroughfare in Westchester. The $17.1 million is an excellent investment in our areas infrastructure and these new bridges will serve the growing number of travelers on the Saw Mill River Parkway safely and efficiently."
The Empire Bridge program, administered by the New York State Department of Transportation, is replacing 100 aging structures across the state. The new bridges will be more resilient and better able to withstand flooding.
Completion of the Empire Bridge program will afford residents of communities across the State stronger and more resilient bridges, and reduce the potential for highway travel delays and detours during heavy rains and floods. It will ensure continued access to critical lifesaving services in the event of an emergency.
Motorists are 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's license.
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