BETHLEHEM — Route 85 between the Cherry Avenue and Blessing Road roundabouts will be resurfaced thanks to $1.1 million in federal funds disbursed by the state.

Paving is to begin next spring.

The Bethlehem project, the only one in Albany County, was announced by the governor’s office on Dec. 4 as part of $100 million for 70 projects statewide.

With project support from the Infrastructure and Jobs Act, a total of 551 lane miles of state highways in every region of New York will be repaved, according to a release from the governor’s office.

“Made possible in part by our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — which has already delivered more than $74 million to improve roads and highways in the Capital Region alone — these upgrades will play a key role in bolstering safety and quality of life for millions of New Yorkers,” said Congressman Paul Tonko in the release. “Going forward, I’m eager to see how these improvements will enhance resiliency and drive economic growth across New York State for years to come.”

“Between extreme heat in the summer, devastating winter storms and the ongoing saga of freeze-thaw cycles, New York’s roads take a pounding from extreme weather in all seasons, and this investment takes direct aim at rejuvenating some of the State highways most impacted by extreme weather,” Governor Kathy Hochul said in the release. “Keeping our infrastructure in a state of good repair is a sound investment that not only increases resiliency but spurs economic development and tourism across New York.”

— Melissa Hale-Spencer