North-South Arterial expected to get $62 Million Makeover

Utica, NY (WIBX) - The Federal Highway Administration is expected to approve a $62 million plan to redesign the North - South Arterial, sometime over the next few weeks.

The three phase plan will eliminate the Sunset Ave and Warren Street intersections and build a bridge over Court Street.  A pedestrian bridge will also be built over the arterial to facilitate safer foot traffic.

New York State Department of Transportation Regional Design Engineer Steve Zywiak says this will be the first major update for the roadway since the 1950's. "I believe, just like other projects, like the Judd Road location and Route 840 that spurred development, at that site it was more vacant properties, but here you're going to see a renewal of the city through the corridor." Zywaik said.

A number of properties on the west side of the arterial will be acquired, displacing eight commercial businesses and an undetermined number of residential properties. Once the FHWA approves the plan, it is expected to go up for public consideration sometime in July with construction beginning in early 2013.