The Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo has revealed that the new Rexford Bridge will be opened to traffic later this year, and work will be resumed at the site this week.

The $32.5m design-build project involves construction of a new bridge that will be carrying Route 146 traffic over the Mohawk River, connecting Saratoga and Schenectady counties.

Approximately, 22,000 vehicles are expected to pass over his bridge on a day to day basis.

"The safety improvements and structural upgrades to this bridge will help ease congestion while also ensuring its continued viability for years to come."

Cuomo said: "The Rexford Bridge is a vital link for commuters and visitors to the Capital Region and, as we resume construction this spring, we help ensure that the new bridge opens to traffic on time this fall.

"The safety improvements and structural upgrades to this bridge will help ease congestion while also ensuring its continued viability for years to come."

The construction is being carried out under a design-build contract, where single team contractors will be responsible both designing and building an entire project.

The contract ensures that the work is carried out seamlessly and completed within shortest period time.

The project will see replacement of the existing two-lane bridge with a wider, four-lane bridge, with two lanes in each direction.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Matthew Driscoll said: "The new bridge and two-lane roundabout will help alleviate the heavy traffic that users of the existing bridge experience daily.

"Governor Cuomo knows the importance of meeting the needs of all transportation users, and we are doing that with the addition of a new multi-use lane for pedestrians and bicyclists to safely cross the Mohawk River.”

Upon opening of the new bridge, work will continue on the project to demolish the old bridge, which is expected to be fully completed by the end of this year.