POUGHKEEPSIE - Construction is beginning on a $4.6 million paving project at various locations throughout Columbia, Dutchess and Putnam counties.

The contract was awarded to A. Colarusso in Hudson and is funded through the federal stimulus package.

In Columbia County, the paving will be done on 6.8 total miles. Work will be completed on State Route 23, from the end of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge to Mount Merino Road, in the town of Greenport; State Route 22, from Woodsend Road (north) to County Route 5 in the town of Austerlitz; and from County Route 21 to County Route 70 in the town of Hillsdale. Crews will also pave State Route 203, from Route 22 to Big Woods Road, in the town of Austerlitz.

In Dutchess County, 3.7 miles of road will be paved under this contract. Work will be completed on State Route 22, from the railroad station to County Route 81 in the town of Amenia, and on State Route 44, from the western intersection of State Route 82 to the eastern intersection of State Route 82, in the town of Washington.

The project in Putnam County, totaling 3.9 miles of work, will include several locations along the Taconic State Parkway, including:

• 0.3 miles north of Dicktown Road to 0.3 miles south of State Route 301 in the town of Putnam Valley; northbound lane only.
• Dicktown Road to 0.2 miles south of State Route 301 in the town of Putnam Valley; southbound lane only.
• Bullet Hole Road to Peekskill Hollow Road in the towns of Carmel and Putnam Valley; southbound lane only.

Work will be progressed using short-term lane closures to minimize the disruption to motorists.