DEKALB -- Work is underway on an $8.2 million project to replace the U.S. Route 11 bridge over the CSX railroad in the Town of DeKalb.

"Route 11 is critical to the economy of the North Country as it is a primary corridor for movement of commercial goods between Watertown and Plattsburgh and provides connectivity to major upstate colleges and universities," New York State Department of Transportation officials said in a news release.

The project begins east of state Route 812 and ends near county Route 19. The new bridge will be founded on driven piles and have reinforced concrete substructures, which will provide greater lateral clearance for the CSX rail line that passes beneath. Wider shoulders will be put in place, allowing for safer use by pedestrians, cyclists and Amish buggies. It will also include concrete barriers and pedestrian fencing along the bridge for safety, DOT said.

Traffic through the project will be controlled by temporary traffic signals. The $8.2 million project was awarded to Rifenburg Construction, Troy, and is expected to be complete by late December 2019, DOT said.

"Motorists are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. In accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver’s license," DOT's news release said.

"Quality roadways and bridges are critically important to both the safety of those who travel, walk and bike on our roadways, and the businesses that use our transportation network to move goods. I look forward to seeing the improvements this project is putting in place," Senator Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, said in a news release from DOT.

“I’m pleased to see a continued investment in our infrastructure in the North County. The widening of this portion of U.S. 11 allows for a diversity of traffic and is a great example of the mixed use our roads face," Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush, R-Black River, said in a news release from DOT.