Governor Hochul launches $24.5 million project to replace aging bridges connecting Interstates 84 and 684

Albany, New York – Construction is now underway on a $24.5 million project in Putnam County that will replace two aging bridges connecting Interstate 84 westbound with Interstate 684 southbound, marking a major investment in one of the Hudson Valley’s important transportation links.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the start of the project, which involves two bridges in the Town of Southeast. The structures, both 59 years old, carry the ramp over Interstate 84 and Interstate 684 and have reached an age when replacement is needed to maintain safety and reliability.

The project is expected to bring wider and more modern bridges to the busy interchange. Officials say the improvements will help motorists move more efficiently through the area while also providing additional space for emergency vehicles and bringing the structures in line with current federal safety requirements.

“This project is yet another example of our ongoing commitment to make critical infrastructure investments throughout the Hudson Valley that focus on the needs of our communities, move our economy forward, and improve quality of life,” Governor Hochul said. “By replacing these outdated bridges, we are modernizing a key junction that New Yorkers depend on every day, ensuring that people and goods remain on the move and that our communities continue to grow and prosper.”

The two replacement structures will serve different sections of the interchange. One bridge crosses over Interstate 84, while the other crosses Interstate 684. Rather than simply replacing the existing bridges with structures of similar dimensions, the project will widen the ramps and provide additional shoulder space.

That extra room is expected to be particularly important when emergency vehicles need to reach an incident or when disabled vehicles have to be moved away from active traffic lanes. The new designs will also meet modern federal safety standards.

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Another major change will involve the height of the bridges. The replacement structures will have a clearance of 16 feet, 6 inches, which is higher than the existing bridges. The additional clearance is designed to bring the structures into line with modern interstate standards and reduce the likelihood of vehicles striking the bridges.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said the project is part of a wider effort to modernize transportation infrastructure while taking environmental concerns into account.

“As the Department of Transportation plans and builds for the future, we are using every tool in the toolbox to drive innovation and create more resilient structures that modernize New York’s transportation network while creating a more sustainable environment for all of us. These projects exemplify Governor Hochul’s steadfast and historic commitment to invest in transportation infrastructure here in the Hudson Valley and all across New York State.”

Environmental measures will be incorporated into the construction rather than treated as a separate concern. One of the most visible features will be the installation of five vegetation swales along the ramps.

These swales are gently sloping channels covered with dense vegetation. Their purpose is to help control stormwater runoff from the roadway. During heavy rain, the channels will help manage the movement of water, capture sediment and filter pollutants before water reaches surrounding areas.

The system will also allow more water to soak naturally into the ground. That can help reduce the amount of water flowing directly across travel lanes during storms, potentially lowering the risk of roadway closures when severe weather hits.

The swales are also expected to protect the bridge structures over the long term. By controlling runoff, they can reduce erosion around bridge foundations, an issue that can gradually weaken infrastructure if it is not properly managed.

The project will include other features aimed at improving both durability and the experience of motorists. The new bridges will have jointless decks, which eliminate traditional expansion joints in the bridge surface.

According to the state, jointless bridge decks can reduce noise, lower long-term maintenance costs and provide drivers with a smoother surface. The project will also use warm mix asphalt, while construction materials removed or generated at the site will be recycled and reused where appropriate.

The environmental approach is part of a larger effort by the state Department of Transportation to make new infrastructure more resilient and sustainable. Instead of focusing only on the immediate replacement of the aging bridges, the project is designed to address drainage, maintenance, durability and safety at the same time.

For drivers, however, the construction period will bring some temporary changes. The ramp will remain in continuous use while work is carried out in stages. Motorists should expect lane shifts as crews move through different phases of construction.

There will also be several overnight closures affecting travelers on Interstates 84 and 684. Those closures will be needed for demolition work as the existing bridges are removed and replaced.

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The state is currently planning for the bridge over Interstate 684 to be completed in 2027. The replacement of the bridge over Interstate 84 is expected to be finished in 2028.

The work is taking place at a location that officials describe as an important connection between the Hudson Valley and New England. Interstate 84 provides a major east-west route through the region, while Interstate 684 connects travelers with communities and transportation corridors farther south.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer highlighted the federal role in making the project possible. He said the bridges are important to commuters, businesses and others traveling between the Hudson Valley and New England.

“The bridges connecting I-84 westbound to I-684 southbound are vital connectors between the Hudson Valley and New England. I was proud to deliver more than $22 million from my Bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Law to replace these outdated bridges for the people of Putnam County. The new, modern bridges will boost resiliency and ensure smoother and safer travel along this key gateway, all while creating good-paying construction jobs. I’m grateful for Governor Hochul’s work putting federal dollars to good use, paving the way for a safer future in the Hudson Valley.”

State Senator Pete Harckham also pointed to the importance of maintaining the region’s transportation system as part of the state’s economic future.

“Maintaining important infrastructure, like our roadways and bridges, is a top priority of mine, as we continue the work to strengthen New York’s economy. The bridge replacement project at the intersection of I-84 and I-684 is much needed and will eliminate a problematic traffic bottleneck. I appreciate Governor Hochul, my colleagues in the State Legislature and the Department of Transportation for remaining committed to transportation safety and our future economic growth.”

Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne said the project has significance beyond the bridges themselves, noting how roads connect residents with essential services and businesses.

“Our roads and bridges are more than pavement and steel. They are the connections that safely link Putnam County families to our schools, hospitals, parks, businesses, and everything else that makes life here possible. They bring visitors to the Hudson Valley, support economic development, and give people the confidence to invest in New York. At the county level, we have worked diligently to maintain and improve our local infrastructure, and I am proud that Putnam County currently reports zero red-flag bridges. At the same time, Interstates 84 and 684 remain critical corridors for our residents, commuters, and local economy. I appreciate Governor Hochul, our State Legislators, and the State Department of Transportation for their commitment to replacing aging infrastructure, improving safety and reliability, and ensuring these heavily traveled roadways continue to serve our region for decades to come.”

The reference to Putnam County having zero red-flag bridges provides an important distinction for the current work. The bridges being replaced are part of a heavily traveled interstate connection, and the state is choosing to replace the aging structures before they become a larger problem for the transportation network.

The project also reflects the state’s broader transportation goals. The New York State Department of Transportation says its mission is to maintain a safe, reliable, equitable and resilient transportation system while connecting communities, protecting the environment and supporting economic activity.

For people traveling through the work zone, officials are urging caution throughout construction. Lane shifts, nighttime closures and active construction areas can create changing traffic patterns, making it especially important for motorists to pay attention to signs and crews working near the roadway.

The Department of Transportation also reminds drivers that highway workers face serious risks every day. Motorists are urged to slow down and move over when approaching highway workers and active work zones.

Once construction is complete, the two replacement bridges are expected to provide a safer and more durable connection between I-84 and I-684. Wider ramps, additional shoulder space, greater clearance and modern bridge designs will replace structures that have served the region for nearly six decades.

At the same time, drainage improvements and environmentally friendly construction practices are intended to protect the surrounding area and reduce future maintenance problems.

With one bridge targeted for completion in 2027 and the other expected to follow in 2028, the project will remain an active part of the region’s transportation landscape for several years. When finished, state officials expect the investment to provide a more reliable interchange for commuters, commercial traffic, emergency responders and travelers moving between the Hudson Valley and New England.