Work has resumed on a project to replace the Route 4 (Main Street) bridge over the Glens Falls Feeder Canal in the village of Hudson Falls.
The existing Route 4 Bridge was built in 1931 and carries approximately 9,400 motor vehicles per day, New York state officials said. The project, scheduled to be substantially completed this fall, is part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s $542 million Empire Bridge program.
The Empire Bridge program, administered by the state Department of Transportation, is replacing 100 aging bridge structures across the state. Officials said the new bridges will be more resilient and better able to withstand flooding.
“Our foremost concern is safety for motorists and pedestrians and this new bridge will help assure that,” said state Sen. Betty Little. “Representing a region heavily dependent on tourism, I know too that first impressions count. The quality and appearance of our infrastructure adds to the overall experience for visitors who we want to come back again and again, so this kind of investment helps.”
Traffic has been maintained on Route 4 in both directions during construction, which began last year and is being conducted in phases, with one half of the bridge being replaced at a time. The southbound side of the bridge was replaced in 2016. While the northbound side of the bridge is replaced this year, traffic in both directions will use the newly replaced southbound side.
Pedestrians and bicyclists will use a temporary bridge installed in November, just west of the Main Street Bridge.
The work is part of a $20.7 million design-build contract to replace five bridges. DOT officials said design-build allows for the combining of design and construction services into single contracts to help expedite work to vital infrastructure to save taxpayer money.