Photo: carterdayne / iStock / Getty Images
The $8.2 million project to replace the Malden Turnpike bridge over the New York State Thruway in Saugerties has officially begun, leading to a full closure of the bridge as of Monday (March 16). The aging, 78-year-old bridge, which carries more than 2,000 vehicles each day, will remain closed until construction is completed in the fall of this year. Local drivers now face a seven-mile detour via Route 32, Route 212, Main Street, and Route 9W to reconnect with Malden Turnpike.
The new bridge is designed for a 75-year lifespan and will include two 11-foot travel lanes and five-foot shoulders. According to Mid Hudson News, state and county officials say the replacement is a critical investment in infrastructure safety and resilience. Upgrades will also include a smoother surface, modern safety railings, and greater vertical clearance—rising from 14 feet two inches to 16 feet six inches.
A. Colarusso & Son Inc. of Hudson was selected as contractor after a competitive bidding process, according to the Construction Industry Council. Local agencies, including police, fire departments, schools, and emergency services, are coordinating to ensure essential services remain uninterrupted during the closure.
For motorists on the Thruway (I-87), expect periodic lane closures in the area, and be aware that work zone speed limits will be strictly enforced, with doubled fines and use of speed cameras during construction. Variable message signs have been posted to guide drivers through the detour and alert them to changing conditions.
The replacement is part of the Thruway Authority’s broader capital plan, which includes more than $600 million in capital contracts for 2026 and a five-year, $2.8 billion investment in infrastructure upgrades statewide.