NY Works Bridge Construction Begins In Southern Tier

ALBANY, NY (06/20/2012)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald today announced that construction has begun on a $10.8 million contract to replace the bridge decks on nine structures in Steuben and Chemung counties through Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's NY Works program.

"Governor Cuomo's NY Works program speeds up our bridge and highway reconstruction efforts and puts people back to work," Commissioner McDonald said "The traveling public will see nearly twice as much highway work than just last year. We ask motorists to be patient and drive carefully through construction zones."

With today's announcement, construction has begun on the first NY Works transportation improvement projects only two months after Governor Cuomo signed the 2012-2013 Budget allowing funding for these projects to move forward.

NY Works focuses on improving the condition of bridges from fair to good 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.

As part of the NY Works contract, construction contractor Cold Spring Construction of Akron, Erie County is repairing four bridges carrying Interstate 86 through the village of Bath, Steuben County. New concrete bridge decks are being constructed on the eastbound and westbound bridges carrying I-86 over B&H Railroad just west of Exit 38 and approximately 1.5 miles west of Exit 39.

Construction is being staged, with one lane open to traffic in each direction at all times. The four structures are expected to be completed this fall.

I-86 is the main highway through the Southern Tier, serving local commuters, long-distance travelers and a high volume of large truck traffic. The route connects northern Pennsylvania to New York and provides access to points east toward Binghamton, linking to major routes north and south toward New York City.

In addition to the I-86 bridge improvements, the following bridges will be addressed next year as part of this contract:

• State Route 961J, also known as Michigan Hollow Road, over Interstate 390 (Exit 1) in the Town of Avoca, Steuben County. The bridge will be closed and traffic detoured while the concrete deck is replaced. Work is expected to begin next April and be completed in July.

• State Route 417 over Bennetts Creek in Greenwood, Steuben County. The bridge will be closed and traffic detoured while the concrete deck is replaced and the abutments are repaired. Work is expected to begin next April and be completed by the end of July 2013.

• State Route 417 over Tuscarora Creek in the Town of Tuscarora, Steuben County. The concrete bridge deck will be replaced and the bridge abutments and bearings will be repaired. Construction will be staged, with one lane open for alternating one-way traffic, controlled by temporary signals. Work is expected to begin next April be completed in the fall of 2013.

• State Route 36 over Loder Street and the Norfolk Southern RR, in the City of Hornell, Steuben County. Construction will be staged, with one lane open in each direction while the concrete bridge deck is replaced and repairs are made to the bridge approaches, abutments and joints. Work is expected to begin in April 2013 and be completed by the end of September. Route 36 is a main thoroughfare in the City of Hornell, carrying more than 15,000 vehicles each day.

• Latta Brook Road over I-86 in the Town of Horseheads, Chemung County. The bridge will be closed and traffic detoured while the concrete bridge deck and approaches are replaced. Construction is expected to begin next June and be completed by the end of August.

Motorists may encounter flaggers directing traffic and should expect travel delays. It is imperative that motorists remember this season to drive carefully through the many highway and bridge construction zones they will encounter.

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