No more bridges over troubled waters: Murphy announces $17.1 million bridge construction project on Saw Mill River Parkway

ALBANY, NY – Two worn-out, bumpy bridges that service Mt. Kisco and New Castle have long been a concern for motorists – especially during inclement weather. Senator Terrence Murphy is pleased to announce that work is underway on a $17.1 million construction project to build two new bridges that will carry drivers traveling on the Saw Mill River Parkway over the Kisco River into Mt. Kisco and across Branch Brook into New Castle. The project is part of the $542 million Empire Bridge program, a key piece of New York’s commitment to rebuilding critical infrastructure across New York State.

“As our communities continue to grow, we need to build modern bridges that can withstand the rigors of our ever-changing weather and handle dense traffic. 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,” Senator Murphy said. “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.”

New Castle Supervisor Rob Greenstein said, “We applaud Governor Cuomo and Senator Murphy’s commitment to rebuild critical infrastructure across New York State. I was especially pleased to hear funding for a bridge on the Saw Mill River Parkway. We continue our efforts to obtain support and funding for another bridge on the Saw Mill River Parkway. A bridge on Roaring Brook Road over the Saw Mill River Parkway would not only reduce traffic congestion but would significantly improve safety on the Saw Mill Parkway by eliminating a traffic light. It would also significantly improve safety on Roaring Brook Road by eliminating a dangerous on-grade railroad crossing.”

The project will include replacing the bridge that carries the Saw Mill River Parkway over the Kisco River and build 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 rails, bridge rails and a concrete median barrier along the Saw Mill River Parkway will also be installed as part of the project.

The project will be conducted 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 through 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.”

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 provide residents of communities across the State with stronger and more resilient bridges, and reduce the potential for highway travel delays and detours during heavy rains and floods. It will also 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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