In South Colton, a road that has been wearing down over the years is getting completely redone. The 'S' Curve on Route 56 has seen its problems, but the state’s Department of Transportation says those problems will be straightened out once they take some of the ‘S’ out of the ‘S’ Curve. Our Cara Thomas has more

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SOUTH COLTON, N.Y. -- There comes a time when a road needs to be replaced and in South Colton, the infamous 'S' curve has come to that point. The road was constructed in the mid to late 20s, with a bridge crossing over the Cold Brook.

Michael Flick from the Department of Transportation says, “Since that time, obviously the area’s developed and there have been, a variety of issues relating to flooding. The most severe in recent history was in 2005 when the bridge, was actually out of service.”

But flooding wasn’t the roadway's only issue.

Flick says, “With modern trucks in particularly, trucks would actually have to stop and take turns passing that area.”

Since the flooding in 2005, a temporary bridge structure was put in place and traffic lights were added, allowing only one way traffic through the 'S' curve.

“Given the highway geometry there, it was time to do a complete project and that’s where we’re at now,” says Flick.

The four and a half million dollar project will consist of creating a completely new 2 mile section of Route 56. The state’s Department of Transportation says they had to acquire additional land to complete the project and residents should expect to see significant changes in the landscape.

Flick said the construction crews will be clearing trees and getting ready for excavation over the next few weeks. Then they'll begin digging to make way for where the new road will be.

“Once you get west of the S curve there are some pretty good hillsides through there that we’re going to straighten out as part of the job. Kind of take some of the old 'S' out of the 'S' curve,” he said.

And when the project is all said and done, Flick says the road will be up to modern standards and hopefully carry on for another 80 years or longer, just like the last one did.

The changes to Route 56 should be completed by next year.