NYSDOT: Route 9P Bridge over I-87 Opens Ahead of Schedule and Under Budget

ALBANY, NY (07/16/2012)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Joan McDonald has announced that the new bridge carrying State Route 9P (Union Avenue) over Interstate 87, the Adirondack Northway, at Exit 14 in the city of Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County, recently opened to traffic. The bridge, opened more than two weeks ahead of schedule and expected to be about $200,000 under budget, has been under construction since last summer.

"This new, modern structure increases safety for the more than 12,000 motorists who use the bridge each day to commute or to visit the lovely city of Saratoga Springs," Commissioner McDonald said. "I am pleased that we were able to complete the bridge before track season and thank the community for their patience during construction."

The project cost is expected to be approximately $4 million, $200,000 lower than the $4.2 million bid price. Work included replacing the previous six-span bridge with a two-span multi-girder structure. New guiderail and drainage was installed. The vertical clearance of the bridge was raised by nearly two feet in order to better accommodate large truck traffic on I-87.

The four lane bridge was reduced to two lanes during construction, while half of the bridge was replaced at a time. The work also required temporary nighttime closures on I-87 to accommodate demolition of the previous structure and erection of steel for the new bridge. The Department's goal was to complete the new bridge and open all lanes to traffic before the start of the busy track season at Saratoga Race Course.

Bette & Cring, LLC of Latham are the construction contractors for this project. Work, including landscaping, will continue through the summer. Daily lane closures should be expected, but will not impact traffic accessing the track.