ALBANY, NY — New York State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Paul A. Karas today announced that work is getting underway on a project to replace a culvert carrying State Route 193 over Bear Creek in southern Jefferson County. The culvert carrying State Route 193 over Bear Creek was damaged by flooding in September 2017 and Route 193 was subsequently closed as a precautionary measure.
“There are literally thousands of elements that are vitally important to the functionality of New York’s vast transportation network,” Acting Commissioner Karas said. “This culvert is critical to the local highway system and to those who have come to depend in it.”
Soon after the road closing last fall, the culvert was damaged beyond repair by high water. A contractor was mobilized to remove the culvert and stabilize the site as an interim measure while a replacement bridge was designed. By accelerating the design and award process, the replacement bridge will be reopened in the summer of 2018.
The completion of the project on an accelerated timeline will enable local farmers to access their crops easier and will allow local traffic to return to a normal pattern more quickly.
Senator Patty Ritchie said, “Reliable infrastructure is key not only to the safety of motorists, but also to the strength of local economies. I am pleased that repairs are being made to State Route 193 that will help to reopen this stretch of roadway and make travel more efficient, as well as safer.”
Assemblyman Will Barclay said, “The DOT made the right decision to close State Route 193 over Bear Creek before a tragedy occurred. I am pleased the DOT is making the replacement of the culvert and its infrastructure a priority so the road can be reopened. The DOT recognizes how the loss of access has been difficult for many residents and businesses in Southern Jefferson County and the Town of Ellisburg. I am glad to hear that the project is moving forward.”
Traffic at the project location will remain on the existing detour, which uses State Routes 178 and 289. The $1 million project was awarded to New Century Construction, Watervliet, New York.
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.