SAUGERTIES – A more than $5 million water and sewer project along a three mile stretch of Kings Highway in the Town of Saugerties is bringing with it the hopes that commercial development will come.

The project, which was almost half funded by Congressman Maurice Hinchey, will serve 25 businesses and 20 residences at present.

A ceremonial groundbreaking was held Monday attended by a host of dignitaries including Hinchey.

“This new line for high quality water and sewer treatment is going to make life much more comfortable for the people who live there and it’s going to strengthen the economy of the businesses that are already there and it will bring in some additional businesses,” he said. “We anticipate some construction probably over the course of next year, along that route.”

Saugerties Town Supervisor Greg Helsmoortel said that stretch of road will now be shovel ready, something businesses look for when they want to build in a particular area.