Albany Skyway Construction Underway, Commuters Detoured

Let the construction, road closures - begin.  Crews will start working Monday morning for the multi-million dollar elevated park soon to be known as the "Albany Skyway."  On Saturday, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan announced the detailed road closures and detours that will unfortunately be a way of life if you're traveling into Albany anytime soon.

This message was posted on Mayor Sheehan's Facebook page over the weekend:

"On Monday, April 5 at 8:00am, the Clinton Ave. ramp from Quay St. will close permanently. Vehicles traveling on Route 9 will continue on Quay St. to Water St., Orange St., and finally Broadway."  -Albany Mayor Sheehan Facebook

According to Albany Mayor Sheehan, “The Albany Skyway will provide one of the most historically underserved census tracts in our region with a revitalized park, new economic opportunities, and a welcoming gateway between the Hudson River waterfront, Clinton Square, Arbor Hill, and Sheridan Hollow.”

Some taxpayers have been critical of the project that had been discussed for years before breaking ground today.  Some would say that the City of Albany could have found a more useful way to spend the 13 million dollars.

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A thread on Albany Reddit yielded dozens of comment,  many from Albany residents quote vocal in their opposition of it.  Some contend Albany's infrastructure is so old and broken down in spots and that  the money spent could have been used to make basic repairs to more widely used Albany streets.

I live in Albany, a few miles from where the Skyway is being built, and like anything in my city, I'm rooting for its success.  If it gets people out, and active, or perhaps even willing to move to downtown, then it will have done it's 13 million dollar job.