The reconstruction of Interstate 287 in the US is expected to be completed by August 2013, instead of the original deadline of November 2012.

Matthew Wing, a New York State Department of Transportation official, said that the I-287 reconstruction would be reopened to traffic by the end of 2012, stating that the extra work in 2013 would be ‘superficial’ landscaping and non-structural work, according to lohud.com.

The project has been divided into six phases between the Tappan Zee Bridge and Harrison, with the third phase costing around $183m. The total construction cost of the I-287 project stands now at $621m, and adding costs for design, inspection, land acquisition and the relocation of a natural gas pipeline brings the cost to $744m.

The latest stage of the project will begin near Interstate-287 exit 8 and involves reconstructing Westchester Avenue to bypass White Plains Avenue in the area of exit 8 from Interstate-287. The development is expected to ease traffic flow between Harrison, West Harrison and White Plains.

The New York State Department of Transportation said that all the busy intersections in White Plains and Harrison will be altered, including Interstate 287 exit 8 and Westchester Avenue .

Westchester Avenue traffic in both directions will bypass White Plains Avenue through a grade-separated frontage road that will run parallel to the north and south sides of Interstate-287. Traffic from Interstate-287 to White Plains will run under the White Plains Bridge, reducing traffic congestion in the area.