CANTON — The U.S. Route 11 bridge over the Grasse River in the Village of Canton will see a major upgrade of about $2 million, according to New York State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Paul A. Karas.

Route 11 is critical to the economy of the North Country as it is a primary corridor for movement of commercial goods and provides connectivity to major upstate colleges and universities, Karas said.

“These rehabilitation projects will ensure the safety of motorists and continue to build upon the economic momentum taking place across the region and the entire State of New York,” he said.

The portion of the project on U.S. 11 will remove and replace the existing concrete wearing surface on the bridge deck, and replace the curb and sidewalk on the bridge. The armor joints on the bridge will also be replaced and the bearings will be rehabilitated. New lighting will be installed on the bridge as well to enhance visibility for motorists.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction in Canton.

Canton Village Mayor Michael Dalton said at a village board meeting Wednesday night, that residents and those traveling through the community should “be prepared” for traffic delays during certain times of the day.

The construction work and rehabilitation is expected to take most of the summer and be completed later this fall.

Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, said, “Reliable infrastructure is key to the strength of any community, as it not only helps to make travel safer for motorists, but also boosts the economy by making the moving of goods more efficient. I am pleased our state is making these critical infrastructure improvements, and look forward to seeing how they improve the North Country as a whole."

The project was funded with 80 percent federal funds and 20 percent state funds. Maintenance projects such as this significantly extend the useful service life of bridges which in turn means fewer significant interruptions to travelers, commerce and local communities, DOT said.

“It is critical that we maintain our roads and bridges and that means sometimes we have to be inconvenienced,” North Country Assemblywoman Addie Jenne, D-Theresa, said. “It's a small price to pay to take a detour or take our time in order for necessary improvements to be made and to ensure this vital artery is safe and reliable for years to come. I have been impressed by the work done on other bridges throughout the North Country and expect a similar experience with this project."