Governor Hochul Announces Completion of Nearly $15 Million Bridge Replacement Projects Linking Communities in the Hudson Valley

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of construction on two bridge replacement projects linking communities in the Hudson Valley. A $10.9 million project in the Village of Brewster within the Town of Southeast in Putnam County replaced the U.S. Route 6 bridge over Metro-North Railroad's Harlem River Line. A $4 million project within the Town of Wawarsing in Ulster County replaced the State Route 209 bridge over the Fantine Kill.

"As we build back our infrastructure, it is important that we prioritize and emphasize community needs and connectivity in the Hudson Valley and all across New York State," Governor Hochul said. "We are committed to transformative projects like these that bring communities closer together and promote safety, access and economic growth."

"The completion of these two bridge replacements will be a major win for the Hudson Valley, linking these communities with others across the region," said Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. "Repairing our outdated infrastructure, like our bridges and roads, is crucial to ensuring that our small towns all across New York State can thrive and grow."

The U.S. Route 6 bridge project enhances safety and improves travel conditions on a heavily traveled roadway which serves as a gateway to Brewster and its rail station. The new bridge was constructed 75 feet to the south of the existing structure, creating a direct intersection with Michael Neuner Drive and fulfilling a goal of the Village's master plan to improve downtown access and provide better connectivity to Brewster's western neighborhoods.

The State Route 209 bridge project replaced a nearly 50-year-old structure with a new, 43-foot, steel-girder span with a reinforced concrete deck that enhances safety and increases mobility along a vital connector that links Ellenville to nearby shopping centers as well as the Ellenville Regional Hospital. This project also employed sustainable engineering practices to help safeguard the environment.

U.S. Route 6 Bridge in Putnam County

As part of this project, which began in the fall of 2019, the existing three-span bridge carrying U.S. Route 6 over the Metro North Railroad was replaced with a modern, single-span, steel girder bridge with a concrete deck that reduces maintenance costs. The new bridge also has enhanced safety features, including wider shoulders and pedestrian walkways with protective fencing on both sides.

As an added benefit and to keep with the aesthetics of the community, NYSDOT landscape architects implemented a plan for new landscaping, which included approximately 75 trees and 250 shrubs. Additionally, historical stone pillars within the project area were raised to accommodate the new elevation of the adjacent roadway. New traffic signals and crosswalks were installed at the intersection of Route 6 and Michael Neuner Drive. A new drainage system was constructed project-wide, including the installation of a new flow control structure and a new stormwater treatment system to help safeguard the environment. Underground utility work included the installation of water, sewer, gas, and communication lines across the new bridge, as well as the replacement of existing underground utility connections adjacent to the bridge.

Traffic was maintained on the existing bridge and Route 6 while the new bridge and road realignment were constructed.

State Route 209 Bridge in Ulster County

Construction of the new bridge began in the spring of 2020. It features wider sidewalks for pedestrians and a new turning lane on State Route 209 to better accommodate traffic headed to nearby intersecting streets, including Aluminum Drive, Washington Avenue and Ellenridge Parkway. A camera-actuated traffic signal was also installed at Aluminum Drive and upgrades were made to the signals at Washington Avenue. Additionally, Ellenridge Parkway now has an exclusive left turn lane for easier mobility.

The upgraded traffic control devices and turning lanes will improve vehicle flow and reduce idling and emissions. Asphalt millings from the original roadbed were also recycled and donated to the village for use in future projects. Uninsulated water and sewer lines that had been located along the sidewalk of the original bridge were replaced with insulated pipes underneath the new structure to guard against freezing and improve resiliency.

Stream banks along the Fantine Kill were restored, creating natural armor for the bridge, and an upstream retaining wall was removed and replaced with a natural stone slope, which is aesthetically pleasing and allows for easier maintenance.

Consistent with New York's Drivers First Initiative, the project was designed to minimize impacts to traffic. To facilitate pedestrian, bicycle and motorist access during the project, an on-site temporary bridge was installed to maintain traffic flow and avoid the need for a detour.

NYSDOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "Governor Hochul understands that the well-being of our communities is linked to the strength and reliability of our transportation infrastructure. These projects enhance safety and connectivity and help sustain uninterrupted travel along vital corridors in Ellenville and Brewster. As part of our commitment to the Village of Brewster, we made accommodations in August 2021 for the Brewster Fire Department's 150thAnniversary parade, by safely making access for the parade route through the project area."

State Senator Pete Harckham said, "Important infrastructure investments like the bridge replacement project on Route 6 in Brewster are integral to maintaining New York's post-pandemic economic rebound. The completion of this project will benefit local residents and business owners in numerous ways while also keeping an eye on public safety risks to those traveling on this roadway."

Senator Mike Martucci said, "State Routes in Upstate New York have long been neglected and allowed to fall into disrepair. The plurality of surface conditions is rated as fair or poor, meaning we have a lot of work to do in order to replace this aging infrastructure. That process is key to the long-term economic prosperity of our communities and the safety of passengers, so I am pleased by the Department of Transportation's work on this project in my Senate district and thankful for the Governor's commitment to making meaningful strides in what is a critical area of need."

Assemblymember Brian Miller said, "I am pleased to see the completion of the Route 6 bridge in Putnam County and the Route 209 bridge in Ulster County. This near $15 million infrastructure investment in the Hudson Valley region means so much for residents. Investment in our infrastructure is positive for economic growth, improves access to services for residents and overall improves the safety of motorists using these bridges. I thank New York State DOT for their work on these projects."

Ulster County Executive Patrick Ryan said, "I want to thank Governor Hochul for investing in the State Route 209 Bridge over the Fantine Kill - which is vital for travel and economic activity in the Rondout Valley and beyond. Infrastructure improvements like this maintain our communities' vital connections while ensuring the safety of residents and visitors alike, as they enjoy all that Ulster County has to offer."

Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell said, “ Putnam County is pleased to continue the work on an overall plan to improve and maintain our infrastructure. The Department of Transportation grant awarded $10.9M to replace the Route 6 Bridge over the Metro North Railroad. This grant enables us to enhance safety and connectivity for the Village of Brewster. This Brewster infrastructure repair is a part of the great improvements and revitalization soon to come in the Village.”

Town of Southeast Supervisor Tony Hay said, "The realignment of Route 6 and the new bridge greatly improved what had been a decades old confusing and chaotic three-way intersection into what is now a four-way intersection that is controlled by a traffic light. That said, our work to improve traffic flow in the village will continue and I look forward to working with the team at the Department of Transportation on some of these matters in the future."

Town of Wawarsing Supervisor Terry Houck said, "The replacement of the bridge over the Fantinekill on route 209 in Ellenville was selected to enhance public safety in Ellenville, a key travel route for our residents, neighbors and region. The Town of Wawarsing thanks everyone involved in this most important bridge replacement!

Village of Brewster Mayor James Schoenig said, "The Village of Brewster is in the process of a major revitalization in the form of a transit-oriented development at the heart of the Village, and the entrances to this area set a precedent for what is to come in the future. The Route 6 Bridge is the newest entry point that welcomes people to our community. The Village of Brewster is pleased to have a more cohesive and safe intersection that will serve as an entrance to the Village for those traveling on Route 6. The bridge connects the neighboring towns and our Village residents, but it also acts as the bridge to bring people, goods, and services safely to the soon-to-be newly upgraded Village of Brewster."

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual's driver license.

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