Rebuilding

I-890 to Union Street

New York State Department Of Transportation

Region One 328 State Street

Schenectady, NY 12305

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The $12.8-million State Route 7 (Crosstown Arterial) project will reconstruct and rehabilitate the pavement between the Interstate 890 Exit 7 interchange and St. David’s Lane. All existing traffic signals will be upgraded, new high visibility crosswalks with nighttime lighting and pedestrian signals will be installed and a permanent sidewalk with night-time lighting will be constructed on the north side of the roadway between Albany Street and Watt Street. Existing corridor light poles not presently being utilized will be re-moved. There will also be pavement improvements made to Union Street from Route 7 to Balltown Road (State Route 146) and on Balltown Road from Union Street to Route 7. A new left turn restriction will be implemented to southbound Balltown Road at its intersection with eastbound Route 7. Landscape improvements will also be made at the Route 7 and Union Street highway median islands.

MOTORISTS AND PEDESTRIANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO EXERCISE CAUTION DURING CONSTRUCTION.

The “Crosstown”

PROJECT IMPACTS (see map on reverse) The project is planned to be constructed in four sections to minimize impacts to traffic, businesses and residents along the corridor. Section 1: Reconstruct the existing concrete pavement between the I-890 Exit 7 interchange and Albany Street. As work progresses, motorists should expect lane shifts in each di-rection. During mid-day hours during the week and during weekends, temporary lane closures may occur. In the latter portions of the stage, work at the Watt Street and Albany Street intersections will necessitate local detours on weekends. (Night work at Watt Street) Section 2: Reconstruct the existing concrete pavement between Albany Street and Consaul Road. The limited width of the Route 5 underpass is anticipated to create the most significant impact to traffic. For an estimated six weeks, motorists traveling westbound on Route 7 (heading toward I-890) will be restricted to a single travel lane. East-bound motorists on Route 7 will have two travel lanes available during this stage. The ramps to and from Route 5 will also be repaved during this stage utilizing local detours. Section 3: Rehabilitate the existing highway pavement between Consaul Road and St. David’s Lane. Underlying concrete joints will be repaired and an asphalt overlay will be placed to improve the riding surface. Work will be completed using temporary lane closures during the mid-day and nights to minimize traffic impacts. Section 4: Rehabilitate the asphalt pavement on: Balltown Road from just north of Union Street to just south of Route 7 and; on Union Street from Balltown Road east to the merge with Route 7. Due to high traffic volumes on Balltown Road, this two-lane highway work will be restricted to night time hours. The existing left turn from southbound Balltown Road to eastbound Route 7 will be restricted (see illustration and explanation this page), requiring traffic to use Union Street to access Route 7 for points east. WHEN CAN I EXPECT THE TRAFFIC IMPACTS? The most significant travel impacts during this project’s construction are anticipated to occur during work on section 2 when the existing two westbound lanes will be reduced to one lane until the section is completed. The work in this section is tentatively scheduled to begin in late summer. (See project updates @ www.dot.state.ny.us/roads/rc1.html) ARE THERE ANY ALTERNATIVE ROUTES? Motorists may wish to consider a variety of north-south connections between I-890 and the Union Street/Balltown Road (Routes 7 & 146) intersection, such as: Nott Street to Erie Boulevard; Union or State Street (Route 5) to Brandywine/Michigan Avenue, Nott Terrace, Broadway or Erie Boulevard; and Balltown Road to State Street. (see map on reverse) NEW CONFIGURATION OF BALLTOWN RD.

AND ROUTE 7 INTERSECTION: As part of the project, the southbound approach of Balltown Road (State Route 146) at its intersection with Route 7 will be reconfigured. Left turns from southbound Balltown Road to eastbound Route 7 will be prohibited permanently. Motorists wishing to travel eastbound on Route 7 will be directed to use eastbound Union Street to access Route 7 eastbound. Motorists traveling southbound on Balltown Road wishing to head east on Route 7 will turn left at the Balltown Road/Union Street intersection. Motorists traveling on Eastern Parkway and heading to Route 7 east will turn at either Palmer Avenue or Oregon Ave-nue and right on Union Street. Motorists can also turn left from Eastern Avenue onto Balltown Road.

Left Turn Prohibited

HOW CAN I KEEP UPDATED ON THIS AND OTHER PROJECTS? Websites : www.dot.state.ny.us/roads/rc1.html www.travelinfony.com Capital District Newspapers; Television and Radio; Traffic Updates; Highway Variable Message Signs. For more information, call 518-388-0366.