Route 202 culvert project in Somers gets underway

SOMERS, N.Y. - The long-awaited Route 202 culvert replacement project in Somers began on Monday, July 13, after a brief delay.

The Somers Highway Department announced that the New York State Department of Transportation has resolved environmental permitting issues with the state Department of Environmental Conservation that had postponed the project's start. According to the town, NYSDOT is now working with its contractor to expedite construction in hopes of completing the work before schools reopen.

Route 202 is now closed between Firemen’s Field and the Somers Middle School parking lot. The roadway will remain closed until the project is complete. State transportation officials are updating electronic message boards to reflect the revised schedule.

The project had been expected to begin June 29 but was delayed while Verizon crews completed utility work, including the removal of telephone poles. Town and state officials had been reviewing the schedule before announcing the new start date.

Drivers are urged to follow posted detour routes and traffic signage and plan for additional travel time while construction is underway.

To improve safety during the closure, the Somers Highway Department has installed temporary stop signs on Lovell Street, approximately 50 feet north and south of Westridge Drive. Motorists are reminded to obey all posted traffic signs, reduce their speed, and use extra caution when traveling through the area.

The state had originally planned to begin the multi-million-dollar project in February but postponed it until after the school year to avoid disrupting 19 school bus routes, which officials said could have added 35 to 45 minutes to some students' commutes.