NYSDOT COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCES HUTCH BRIDGE DECK FINISHED

ALBANY, NY (08/11/2013)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Joan McDonald today announced completion of the innovative Hutchinson River Parkway bridge renovation project that started Tuesday in the Village of Pelham Manor, Westchester County. NYSDOT has reopened the Boston Post Road, which had been closed at the bridge for this project, and traffic is flowing normally again on the parkway.

"Governor Cuomo's New York Works program enabled us to re-deck this bridge now, saving money on costly future repairs and using creative planning to get the work done quickly and minimize disruption to motorists," Commissioner McDonald said. "We thank the public and the local community for cooperating with us on this important project and look forward to using this job as a model for expediting future work so that drivers can keep moving."

This $1.5 million NY Works project replaced the deck of the Hutchinson River Parkway bridge over the Boston Post Road (U.S. Route 1) using innovative construction methods to shrink the project's duration by months, minimize its traffic impacts and save money. The project, which would take months under traditional contracting and construction methods, was completed in less than a week. Construction started Tuesday morning, August 6.

The project meets the goals of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's Drivers First initiative to ensure that construction causes the least impact to motorists.

On average, 83,000 vehicles a day travel the four-lane Hutchinson River Parkway at the bridge.

This is one of dozens of highway construction projects underway this summer to preserve New York's transportation infrastructure, create jobs and support the state's growing economy. This project is being done through a design-build contract. Governor Cuomo signed legislation in December 2011 allowing design-build to speed construction and save money. With this project, for example, NYSDOT outlined the project requirements, but allowed construction companies to maximize their unique skills and resources when bidding the project and planning its details. The project contractor is Harrison & Burrowes Bridge Constructors, Inc., based in Glenmont, Albany County. CHA Companies of Albany is the project designer.

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In order to minimize traffic impacts, construction was significantly accelerated. The contractor's team worked around the clock in order to complete the job quickly and improve safety for workers and the traveling public. The contractor utilized customized, precast concrete slabs for the new bridge deck, as well as ultra-high-performance concrete, which cures within hours, compared to the 14 days it takes standard concrete. A traditional approach to the overall project would have cost more, taken several months to complete and created significant traffic delays.

NY Works focuses on improving the condition of bridges, raising them 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 within close geographic proximity 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 offer 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, as well as weather alerts and forecasts. New features available at the site – www.511ny.org – include additional mobile app features, border crossing times, new notifications on the home page, and an interface that is easy to navigate.

Follow New York State DOT on Twitter: @NYSDOT, and on Facebook at facebook.com/NYSDOT.

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