NY State Revamping Route 312 At I-84

SOUTHEAST, NY — Construction has begun on a $2.2 million project to improve safety and traffic flow at the interchange between Interstate 84 and State Route 312 in Southeast.

Officials said redesigned turning lanes and new, better-coordinated traffic signals will make it easier for motorists to move between these two major roadways and will improve access to nearby stores and businesses.

As part of the project, turning lanes on Route 312 – which is also known as Dykeman Road – that lead to Interstate 84’s on-ramps will be lengthened and given less abrupt transitions to improve conditions for motorists.

"This project will allow for a much smoother commute to I-84 from Southeast," Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell said.

Additional enhancements include new signage and pavement markings to better advise motorists. Route 312 and a portion of the I-84 Eastbound on-ramp will also be repaved as part of the project.

“I want to thank the NYS Department of Transportation for recognizing the traffic situation at the interchange between I 84 and Route 312 in Putnam County and taking action to correct it," Senator Peter Harckham said. "Once the upgrades have been completed, Southeast residents and commuters will have a much safer and expedited traffic flow and local businesses will benefit from the improved driving conditions and repaving.”

New, coordinated traffic signals will also be added to optimize the flow of traffic through the entire interchange. Traffic signals at the intersection of the ramp to eastbound Interstate 84 and the road to the shopping centers will also include retroreflective back plates to better stand out from the area’s backdrop and improve visibility to motorists.

"This project targets one of Putnam County’s busiest commercial areas, and will help alleviate traffic for residents and commuters who travel to and from one of our largest shopping centers as well as a key access point to mass transit, the Southeast Train Station," Assemblyman Kevin Byrne said.

The project was designed to minimize impacts to traffic with major lane closures expected to occur predominantly in the overnight hours, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., on weekdays, consistent with the Drivers First initiative of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration.

Motorists may, however, still experience brief daytime lane closures or traffic shifts while work is underway. Traffic will be maintained in the area without the use of a detour. All work is expected to be completed by this fall.

Remember, 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.

For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit the 511 website here, or the mobile site at m.511ny.org.