ConDig (05-Jun-17).  The New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled plans to invest $15 million in revamping Route 787 in the city of Cohoes, which is in the northeast corner of Albany County.

Under the plan, New York’s DOT will covert part of the road into a boulevard to improve pedestrian safety and aims to spark economic development.

The cash was allocated to the state’s DOT in the 2017-2018 budget for design and construction of the proposed gateway project, which will require federal approval.

The design element of the project and letting is expected to be finished by early next year, with construction slated to start in spring 2018. Work is scheduled to be completed by end of 2019.

DOT said it is in the process of working with the Federal Highway Administration to reclassify the road from a freeway to arterial designation, which is the first step in moving the project forward.

“Investing in New York’s transportation infrastructure is critical to creating safe and thriving communities across the state,” said NYC governor Cuomo said. “This project will help increase access to downtown, helping to spur growth and help local businesses for years to come.”

The proposed scheme features a boulevard-style roadway with a landscaped median and narrower travel lanes on Route 787 — also known as Cohoes Boulevard — through the city limits from Dyke Avenue to just south of the approach to the Cohoes Waterford Bridge.

It also includes pedestrian crossings at intersection points that aim to help restore the connection for people crossing Route 787, according to New York’s DOT.

“This new gateway project, known as Cohoes Boulevard, will not only spur further economic development in City of Cohoes, it will also make the roadway safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike,” said New York senator Neil Breslin.