Construction has begun on a widening of Route 60 in the town of Pomfret. Photo by M.J. Stafford

A long-awaited project to widen Route 60 in the town of Pomfret is underway.

New York State Department of Transportation started work on it a couple weeks ago. The construction area extends from the New York State Police barracks near the Routes 20 and 60 roundabout, to Route 60’s intersection with Route 83.

The project will establish a center, two-way, left-turn lane on that stretch of Route 60. Roadside work includes moving existing drainage ditches and pipes to accommodate the widening of the road.

A sidewalk along Route 60 will also be extended to McAllister Road. A culvert near Route 83 will get replaced, too. Finally, everything is supposed to get repaved at the end.

The DOT’s estimated completion date for the project is Dec. 1. The project costs $8,932,408 and is funded by the federal and state governments.

Both the DOT and local safety officials are looking for the project to reduce accidents on a stretch of Route 60 that is notorious for crashes.