(Albany) South Mall Expressway to be closed until end of month

[Dougtone]

The South Mall Expressway likely will be closed in both directions until at least the end of July as crews work to repair two 10-foot-long cracks in both pier cap beams that support the multi-lane highway as it leads into the Dunn Memorial Bridge.

This means that those of us on the East Coast won't have to go to Los Angeles to experience Carmageddon.

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Expressway-to-be-closed-until-end-of-month-1466056.php

[xcellntbuy]

As one who used to work in downtown Albany many years ago, I cannot begin to imagine this nightmare.

For those commuters from southern Rensselaer and northern Columbia Counties, it would be easier to cross the Hudson River on the Castleton Bridge on the Thruway and pay the toll, avoid A LOT of traffic.

[NE2]

NYSDOT advisory: https://www.nysdot.gov/news/traveler-advisories/2006/2011-07-132

[Alps]

I don't see how construction on the Dunn makes things worse, because all the traffic has to neck down on the east side anyway. I do see, though, how this one simple connection being lost will break I-787 and the other nearby crossings.

[Mergingtraffic]

Under normal circumstances, how is traffic congestion in this area?  Looking at bing maps I see some wierd lane drops and lane configurations.
Plus lots of stubs!