Routes for emergency vehicles will be maintained and open during construction as will access to businesses.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced the start of a $20.3 million project to build a new Cohoes Waterford Bridge carrying Route 32 over the Mohawk River. The bridge, which is used by over 16,000 vehicles daily, is being replaced as part of New York State's Scour Critical/Flood Prone Bridge Program and is funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

“The Cohoes Waterford Bridge is a vital link between these two communities that tens of thousands of Capital Region residents depend upon,” Cuomo said. “This replacement project will ensure this roadway remains viable for years to come and is the latest part of this administration's significant investment in infrastructure in every corner of New York.”

The new bridge will be an 850-ft. (259 m) long multiple-span structure located approximately 80 ft. (24 m) east of and parallel to the existing bridge. The existing three-lane Cohoes Waterford Bridge, which first opened to traffic in 1932, will remain open during construction. Off-peak, short-term, alternating one-way traffic will be required for some construction operations. Work is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2017.

Routes for emergency vehicles will be maintained and open during construction as will access to businesses. The Department of Transportation will work directly with businesses to minimize construction impacts.

“Governor Cuomo understands the connection between a vibrant economy and a reliable transportation system. This bridge is of vital importance to Cohoes and Waterford, and replacing this important connection shows that the Governor is serious about making unprecedented commitments to strengthen our communities, our infrastructure and our economy,” said Matthew J. Driscoll, NYSDOT commissioner.

New York's $518 million Scour Critical/Flood Prone Bridge Program upgrades and enhances the resiliency of 105 bridges to ensure the transportation access needed in emergencies and for continued economic growth. Bridges included in the program were built to the codes and standards of their time and remain safe and open for everyday traffic. However, due to a variety of natural severe weather events and the increasing frequency of major storms and floods, they are now vulnerable to scour caused by the intensity and velocity of water from extreme natural events.

Cohoes Mayor Shawn Morse said, “As newly elected Mayor, my main priority is to reclaim Cohoes as an 'All-American City.' The construction of the new Cohoes- Waterford Bridge is one step toward this initiative. This bridge is a gateway to the revitalization of our community and economic development. A big thank you to Governor Cuomo for his commitment to this project and for bringing new life to the entrance of our city.”

The contractor for this project is D.A. Collins Construction Company, Inc. of Wilton.

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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