New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDoT) is planning to invest $15m to transform Route 787 in the US city of Cohoes. 

The project will require federal approval and is intended to reconnect east and west sides of the city, as well as improve bicycle and pedestrian access. It is also expected to feature a boulevard-style road with updated crosswalks and a landscaped median.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said: "Investing in New York’s transportation infrastructure is critical to creating safe and thriving communities across the state. 

"This project will help increase access to downtown, helping to spur growth and help local businesses for years to come."

Funding was allocated to NYSDoT in the 2017-18 budget to design and build the proposed Cohoes gateway project.

"This project will help increase access to downtown, helping to spur growth and help local businesses for years to come."

NYSDoT is in the process of working with the Federal Highway Administration to reclassify the road to from a freeway to arterial designation.

NYSDoT Commissioner Matthew Driscoll said: "The community has asked for a renewed Cohoes Boulevard, and New York State is answering the call. The new boulevard will serve as a gateway to Cohoes and restore the connections for neighborhoods on both sides of Route 787." 

Upon receiving federal approval and inputs from public, NYSDoT expects to complete preliminary design work and start construction next year, with completion slated to take place by the end of 2019.

As part of the project, NYSDoT will also carry out a traffic study to determine whether the speed limit should be lowered and the redesigned Cohoes Boulevard could see speed limits lower than the current 40mph.

Image: NYSDOT to transform Route 787 in the city of Cohoes to a boulevard. Photo: courtesy of New York State Government.