Northern Dutchess County Taconic State Parkway Closures Announced

Heads up Taconic State Parkway commuters in the area of Clinton, roadwork causing closures has been announced.

New York State Department of Transportation began work today, November 1st, on the Bulls Head Bridge over the Taconic State Parkway, and will impact roadways as well as Taconic entrance ramps.

While the Bulls Head Bridge in the Town of Clinton is being painted, there will be single lane closures in the area while work is being completed between the hours of 7am and 7pm.  They also announced anticipated closures of the ramps to the Taconic beginning on or around November 8th.  Dutchess County Government stated that there will be a posted detour around Bulls Head Road (CR-19), Milan Hollow Road (CR-15) and State Route 199.

Estimated timeline for this construction project and the impacted roadways is mid-November.

As with any construction zone, motorists in the area of this work are reminded to take the necessary precautions such as yielding to posted construction signs and flaggers, and obey speed limits.

Construction area safety has been a top priority, especially in New York State.  In late August a reminder about "Operation Hardhat" which typically runs July through November, was issued.  "Operation Hardhat" is an initiative that has State Troopers posted in work zones, dressed as maintenance workers, identifying motorists who disobey flagging personnel, were caught speeding through work zones, or who violated the state's Move Over Law.  Photos of officers have been captured showing them in full construction attire, high visibility vests, hardhats, and posted in actual construction vehicles shooting radar at motorists.

During the 2020 "Operation Hardhat" initiative, police issued 1,779 tickets, up 69.8% from the previous year.  Numbers for the current year have not yet been released.