HAVERSTRAW -- Construction has begun on a $13.36 million project to replace the bridge carrying the Palisades Interstate Parkway over State Route 202 in the Village of Haverstraw. The funding comes from the federal stimulus package.

The construction contract was awarded to ECCO III Inc. of Yonkers.

Construction of this project was initially started in the spring of 2005. The contract was terminated in July 2007. This project will complete the work started under the previous contract. Construction is expected to be completed during the fall of 2010.

The project calls for the construction of a new single-span bridge carrying the Palisades Interstate Parkway over State Route 202, replacing the existing three-span structure. The new structure will retain the existing alignment of the parkway.

The bridge will also be wider, allowing for the addition of a southbound acceleration lane for the entrance ramp and wider shoulders. State Route 202 will be widened from three lanes to five lanes from the bridge to the intersection with State Route 45.