Early Opening Alleviates Detours During Cold Weather Months
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez today announced the opening of the newly constructed Pudding Street bridge over the Taconic State Parkway in Putnam Valley. The opening of the bridge, along with the four interchange ramps, comes months ahead of schedule and will temporarily eliminate the need for detours, benefitting commuters, residents, school buses and emergency service providers.
The early opening of the interchange will enable motorists to better navigate the interchange during the winter months. In spring 2021, a temporary closure of the bridge and ramps will occur for approximately 60 days to tie in the approaches, replace a culvert and conduct paving operations. All work is expected to be complete by the summer of 2021.
“New York State Department of Transportation, under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, is prioritizing the transportation needs of New Yorkers while maintaining our promise to renew and enhance the safety and resilience of New York’s infrastructure for the 21st century,” Commissioner Dominguez said. “I’d like to thank all of our essential workers for their efforts to complete this project, allowing for this bridge to open before winter weather sets in, which will enable communities on each side of Pudding Street to utilize the bridge without a detour.”
The $28.9 million project eliminates an at-grade crossing and realigns the parkway to increase sight distance and make the crossing easier to navigate. Consistent with the Taconic State Parkway’s historic status, the project calls for a modern bridge with aesthetic features that replicate the architectural appearance of other parkway bridges.
Senator Sue Serino said, “This is a major step forward for a project that our community has been anxiously awaiting for decades and is a great example of all that can be accomplished when community partners at every level are committed to progress. I thank the DOT for working so closely alongside my office and the local community to make this critically important project a reality and for all that they’ve done to finish this phase early for the benefit of local residents and travelers alike.”
Assembly Member Kevin Byrne said, "For decades our community has advocated for this overpass as an essential infrastructure project to ensure public safety for our fellow New Yorkers. A little over a year ago, I was privileged to witness a shovel finally get put in the ground. I'd like to thank NYS Dept. of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez, the DOT staff, engineers, and various other laborers and contractors for their dedicated work. We are grateful that enough of this project has been completed ahead of schedule to ensure the bridge is safe to open and assist in mitigating local traffic during the winter months. I look forward to the formal full reopening next year."
MaryEllen Odell said, “The at-grade crossings on the busy Taconic State Parkway were built for another, slower time. We are grateful that the state recognized the danger and built a bridge at Pudding Street to safely carry local traffic over the parkway while also giving drivers better entrance and exit ramps. This project has been a long time coming, and we are excited that the last outdated and dangerous parkway crossing in Putnam County has been eliminated."
Robert Langley, Putnam County Sheriff, said, “The opening of the newly constructed Pudding Street Bridge is something that we have long awaited. The diligent work and planning by the New York State Department of Transportation shows the dedication of these women and men who make our highways safer for all the motoring public. I would like to personally thank everyone involved in making this project happen and providing us with the safe passage across the Taconic State Parkway”.
Town of Putnam Valley Supervisor Sam Oliverio said, “I was both shocked and extremely pleased when told of the opening of the Bridge and Overpass connecting the Hamlet of Roaring Brook Lake with the Southern portion of Town. I had thought the opening would not occur until late Spring so this was an unbelievable Holiday Present. I congratulate both the NY State Department of Transportation and the entire Construction Crew on their fast and exceedingly professional work. In the future the construction of this Taconic Overpass should be the poster child for focused and responsible management of a State directed project. I thank all involved in their very timely and beautifully done work."
Motorists are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in work zones. 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.