Two new bridges built in Brewster, pictured here, and Wawarsing have increased transportation options in the local communities.

Driving through the intersection where North Main Street and Route 6 meet in Brewster has always been tricky to navigate. Until now, thanks to new stoplights and a new bridge over the Metro-North Railroad’s Harlem River Line. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the completion of the bridge replacement on Tuesday, along with the completion of a bridge in the town of Wawarsing.

The $10.9 million project in Brewster enhances safety and improves conditions on a heavily traveled roadway that serves as a gateway to the village and its rail station. The new bridge was built 75 feet south of the existing structure, creating an aligned intersection with Michael Neuner Drive. A four-way stop light was also added to enhance safety. The project fulfils a goal of the village’s master plan to improve downtown access and provide better connectivity to Brewster’s western neighborhoods.

“The realignment of Route 6 and the new bridge greatly improved what had been a decades-old confusing and chaotic three-way intersection into what is now a four-way intersection that is controlled by a traffic light,” said Town of Southeast Supervisor Tony Hay in a news release.

The bridge replacement project in Brewster — part of a major revitalization around transit-oriented development in the village — first began in the fall of 2019. It replaced a three-span bridge with a modern, single-span, steel-girder bridge with a concrete deck. There are wider shoulders, pedestrian walkways with protective fencing on both sides, a new drainage system with a new flow control structure and stormwater treatment system, and new landscaping which includes approximately 75 trees and 250 shrubs.

Related: Village of Brewster seeks to attract NYC commuters with downtown redevelopment

“The entrances to this area set a precedent for what is to come in the future,” said Village of Brewster Mayor James Schoenig in a news release. “The bridge connects the neighboring towns and our village residents, but it also acts as the bridge to bring people, goods, and services safely to the soon-to-be newly upgraded village of Brewster.”

The construction of the new bridge on State Route 209 over the Fantine Kill in the town of Wawarsing began in the spring of 2020.

Meanwhile, in Ulster County, the construction of the new bridge on State Route 209 over the Fantine Kill in the town of Wawarsing began in the spring of 2020 and replaced a nearly 50-year-old structure with a new, 43-foot, steel-girder span with a reinforced concrete deck. It features wider sidewalks and a new turning lane to better accommodate traffic. A camera-actuated traffic signal was also installed at Aluminum Drive, which will improve vehicle flow and reduce idling and emissions.

Asphalt millings from the original roadbed were also recycled and donated to the village for use in future projects. Uninsulated water and sewer lines that had been located along the sidewalk of the original bridge were replaced with insulated pipes underneath the new structure to guard against freezing and improve resiliency.

Cloey Callahan is a lifelong Hudson Valley resident who was born and raised in Brewster, lived in New Paltz for four years while she attended college, and now resides in Newburgh on Liberty Street. On a sunny day, she strolls through Newburgh enjoying the 19th-century architecture on her way to the Hudson River waterfront. You can reach her at cloey.callahan@hearst.com to say hi or with pitches.