Pudding Street Ramps Open On Taconic Parkway

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — The Pudding Street bridge and interchange ramps, which have been under construction over the Taconic State Parkway for a year, opened Monday.

It will help drivers better navigate the interchange during the winter months, eliminating the need for detours.

"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," said Putnam Valley Supervisor Town Sam Oliverio. "I had thought the opening would not occur until late Spring so this was an unbelievable Holiday Present."

The opening comes months ahead of schedule and is only a temporary measure, said New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez. "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."

In the spring, transportation officials said, the bridge and ramps will be closed for 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.

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 is a modern bridge with aesthetic features that replicate the architectural appearance of other parkway bridges.

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.

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