NY Works Bridge Construction Begins in Western NY

ALBANY, NY (06/12/2012)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Joan McDonald today announced that construction has begun on a $13.8 million contract to replace bridge decks on 10 structures in Erie and Monroe counties through the NY Works program.

"We at DOT are moving quickly to rehabilitate nearly a dozen bridges at once in the region, under Governor Cuomo's NY Works program," said McDonald. "NY Works means we can get nearly twice as much work done as we did last year, providing jobs and ensuring our transportation remains safe and up to date."

With today's announcement, construction has begun on the first NY Works transportation improvement projects in the western New York region just two months after Governor Cuomo signed the 2012-2013 Budget allowing 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 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, four bridges along Route 400 (Aurora Expressway), in Erie County, will be repaired. New concrete bridge decks are being constructed on the northbound and southbound bridges carrying Route 400 over Lein Road in West Seneca. Work will begin in June to replace bridge decks on the structures carrying Route 400 northbound and southbound over Jamison Road in Elma. Construction is expected to be completed this fall.

The Aurora Expressway services key commercial and industrial development locations in Elma and West Seneca and supports growth of the Western New York economy. This preventive maintenance work will restore the bridges to good condition and extend their useful life.

During construction, one lane of traffic will be maintained in both directions through the use of highway crossovers. Crossovers provide access for traffic to use the opposite side of the highway while bridge work is ongoing. Traffic impacts are expected to be minimal.

In addition to the Route 400 bridges, the following bridge deck replacements will occur as part of this contract:

· Route 400 northbound ramp bridge to Route 277 in the town of West Seneca, Erie County will begin next year. The ramp will be closed to traffic during the summer to accommodate construction.

· Interstate 490 eastbound and westbound bridges over Route 204 in the town of Gates, Monroe County will begin next year.

· Interstate 490 eastbound and westbound bridges over Route 386 in the town of Chili, Monroe County will begin next year.

· Route 15 bridge over Interstate 390 in the town of Rush, Monroe County will begin in July 2012 and be completed by the end of the year.

The construction contractor for the project is Union Concrete Constructors of West Seneca, Erie County.

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