Construction Schedule For NY Works Bridge Project Adjusted To Better Accommodate Community

ALBANY, NY (11/01/2012)(readMedia)-- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that construction on a project to rehabilitate the Route 281 Bridge over Cold Brook in Homer, Cortland County, is scheduled to begin Nov. 7. The work was rescheduled from earlier this fall in order to better accommodate local farmers, orchardists and motorists who rely heavily on the bridge during fall harvest season. The schedule adjustment is in keeping with the new Driver's First initiative announced by the Governor on September 27.

"NY Works transportation funding is intended to increase safety on New York State's roads and bridges while putting people to work quickly," Governor Cuomo said. "In advancing this program it is imperative that we remember that construction impacts communities and local economies. We must work smartly and efficiently to avoid imposing hardships during repair projects, particularly here in Central New York and on the agricultural sector."

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald said, "Governor Cuomo's NY Works program means motorists will see more critically important construction work quickly and efficiently. Scheduling of these important safety projects will take into account community needs and public input to minimize local impacts to motorists."

The bridge deck replacement work is being done as part of a $6.8 million contract to replace concrete decks on seven structures in Central New York through the NY Works program.

Work on the Route 281 Bridge over Cold Brook was originally scheduled to begin in September. After receiving input from residents and business owners who rely on the bridge, the project schedule was adjusted to avoid closing the bridge during the harvest season. Work is now scheduled to begin on Nov. 7 and be completed by the end of the year. The bridge will be closed to traffic during construction and a signed detour will direct motorists to use Routes 41, 11 and 80. Final work, including deck sealing, will occur next spring and may require daily lane closures, which would have minimal impact on the traveling public.

As part of the contract, construction contractor Vector Construction of Cicero, Onondaga County, will replace concrete decks on the following bridges:

• Route 222 over Fall Creek, in the Town of Groton, Tompkins County. Work has begun and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

• Interstate 481 over Kirkville Road, in the Town of DeWitt, Onondaga County. Work is expected to occur during November.

Also included in the contract are the following deck replacements, which will occur in 2013:

• State Route 38 over Dry Creek, in the Town of Moravia, Cayuga County.

• State Route 38 over Owasco Creek in the Town of Conquest, Cayuga County.

• Northbound Interstate 481 over the connector ramp to I-690 westbound, located in the Town of DeWitt, Onondaga County.

• Route 174 over Nine Mile Creek, in the Town of Camillus, Onondaga County.

NY Works focuses on improving the condition of bridges from fair condition to good condition in order to extend their service life. This rehabilitation work will better preserve the state's infrastructure and guard against the need for more costly, in-depth construction. Bundling projects sites within close geographic locations into a single contract enables DOT to lower expenses and obtain lower bids.

For real-time travel information, call 511 or visit www.511NY.org. 511NY is New York State's official traffic and travel information source. The 511NY site and mobile app provides offers free, 24/7, statewide real-time traffic and transit information for all of New York State. It also offers a transit trip planner, camera views, weather alerts and forecasts. New features available at the website include additional mobile app features, border crossing times, new notifications on the home page and an interface that is easier to navigate.

###