by David Flint
Stephentown residents will be glad to see work finally starting this week to fix up Route 22 into a more drivable highway. Motorists, however, can expect some serious traffic delays for a number of weeks.
[private]According to Bryan Viggiani, NYSDOT Region 1 Public Information Officer, the roadway will be reclaimed in place and resurfaced for a length of about ten miles from the Columbia County line northward. Work will start on Thursday morning at the intersection with Route 43 and progress first northward and after that southward to the County line.
Viggiani said the work will occur in two phases. During the first phase, workers will mill and recycle the pavement creating a temporary, somewhat rough surface upon which motorists can drive. This phase is expected to take one to two weeks, weather permitting.
This surface needs to cure for a period. Workers will return within a month to put down a top course layer of asphalt pavement.
During construction there will be alternating one way traffic with flaggers signaling when drivers can proceed. Work will be done during daytime only and not on weekends.
Viggiani respectfully reminds drivers to drive safely and be especially cautious in construction zones and watch for workers and flaggers.
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