The Peru Gazette

Removal of Low Clearance Railroad Bridge Over Interstate 87 in Clinton County Eliminates Detours for Commercial Shipping 

Project Also Eliminated At-Grade Rail Crossing Along Busy Corridor, Minimizing Motorist Delays and Enhancing Safety

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez today announced the completion of a project to facilitate economic competitiveness and enhance commerce in the North Country by removing the last height-restricted bridge over Interstate 87 in Clinton County, located in the Town of Plattsburgh. Removing the low-clearance railroad bridge eliminates the need for commercial shippers to detour around the structure as well as the potential for bridge strikes, enhancing safety for travelers along the busy corridor. In addition to the removal of the railroad bridge, a new median barrier was installed along the interstate, and an at-grade rail crossing on nearby State Route 22 was decommissioned and removed to reduce motorist delays and make their journeys safer.

The bridge carried an abandoned section of track formerly known as the Chateaugay Branch. The $2.2 million project began in April and required periodic closures of Interstate-87 northbound and southbound during non-peak hours.

Senator Betty Little said, “Highway safety is important for every region of our state, but I think especially for us given our cross border relationship with our Canadian neighbors and the high volume of commerce and tourism we see along the Northway corridor.  While COVID has been terrible for so many reasons, it has been a good opportunity for road construction and getting ready for when things return to normal.”

Assemblyman Billy Jones said, “COVID-19 continues to impact small businesses here in the North Country, and it’s critical that we do everything we can to support the regional economy. By removing the last height-restricted bridge and completing additional infrastructure improvements, we can increase safety on our main thoroughfare and boost economic activity. These targeted infrastructure investments will help our communities recover and lay the groundwork for a brighter tomorrow for all of our families.”

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.

For real-time travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org, or logon to the new mobile site at m.511ny.org.

Follow New York State DOT on Twitter: @NYSDOT. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/NYSDOT.