NYSDOT Announces Bridge Deck Replacements in Rochester and Western New York Region

ALBANY, NY (06/22/2012)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Joan McDonald today announced that work is set to begin in the Rochester area on a $13.6 million contract to replace bridge decks at three locations in Monroe County and five bridges in the greater Buffalo area.

"With additional highway improvement funding provided under Governor Andrew Cuomo's NY Works program, we are moving with these important bridge projects across the region," said McDonald. "We know that improving our roads and bridges is good for business, creates jobs and makes getting where we have to go safer and more pleasant."

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. Construction will consist of replacing the concrete bridge decks that carry traffic. 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, deck replacement on the bridge carrying Route 15 over Interstate 390 in Rush, Monroe County will begin in July. During construction the bridge will be closed. Traffic on Route 15 southbound will be detoured to the Route 251 service ramp to bypass the work zone. Traffic on Route 15 northbound will be detoured to Route 251 east to Route 15A north, to Route 253, back to Route 15. I-390 will be accessible from both directions and the park-and-ride lot will be accessible from the south. Traffic accessing the park-and-ride lot from the north will take the short detour using the service ramp.

Route 15 is a major north/south corridor that serves commuters and people doing business in the southern part of Monroe County and towards Livingston County.

Construction will take place next year on the eastbound and westbound bridges carrying Interstate 490 over Route 204 (Airport Expressway) in Gates and carrying I-490 over Route 386 (Coldwater Road) in Chili, both in Monroe County. A single lane of traffic will be maintained in both directions on I-490 through the use of highway crossovers. Crossovers provide access for traffic to use the opposite side of the highway while bridge work is ongoing. Travel restrictions at various interchange ramps will be posted. Each of the expressway bridges are key to the local interstate system in providing a commuter route for thousands of motorists traveling to and from the west side of Monroe County. Work will be completed next fall.

Construction will also occur at the following locations in the greater Buffalo area:

· Route 400 (Aurora Expressway) northbound and southbound bridges over Lein Road in West Seneca, Erie County. Work has begun and is expected to be completed this fall. One lane of traffic is being maintained in both directions through the use of highway crossovers

· Route 400 (Aurora Expressway) northbound and southbound bridges over Jamison Road in Elma, Erie County. Work has begun and is expected to be completed this fall. One lane of traffic is being maintained in both directions through the use of highway crossovers.

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

The contract was awarded to Union Concrete Constructors (UCC) of West Seneca, New York.

Motorists are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. In accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual's driver's license.

For real-time travel information, call 511 or visit www.511NY.org. Find NYSDOT on the web at www.dot.ny.gov.

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