Thruway Authority Announces $91.2 Million Highway Improvement Project to Begin Monday, June 7, in Erie County

ALBANY, NY (06/04/2010)(readMedia)-- The New York State Thruway Authority today announced that work will begin Monday, June 7, 2010, on a $91.2 million contract for the rehabilitation of approximately 13 miles of pavement along I-90 from west of Interchange 57 (Hamburg, Route 75) to east of Interchange 58 (Silver Creek, Irving, Route 438), in Erie County.

"This project will upgrade original pavement that dates to the Thruway's beginnings in the 1950s," said Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael R. Fleischer. "This level of infrastructure investment is evidence of the Authority's ongoing commitment to providing high levels of service and safety through its rigorous highway and bridge Capital Program."

The contract was awarded to Union Concrete and Construction, of West Seneca, New York.

"This is a significant investment in Western New York infrastructure that will support local construction and supply companies and local jobs," said Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27). "The Union Concrete team, under the leadership of Gary Hill, has an outstanding reputation for quality work."

"I am very pleased that we are proceeding with this important Thruway rehabilitation project," said Senator William Stachowski (D, Lake View). "This 13-mile section of I-90 is a key piece to future economic development projects in and around the Town of Hamburg to the Silver Creek and Irving areas. I support the Union Concrete and Construction Corp. of West Seneca as it prepares to begin the work on this project and look forward to the many positive changes, particularly the improved safety and flow of traffic that the completion of this project will bring for local residents and businesses."

Work is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 7, on I-90 westbound at milepost 438.5, approximately 1.5 miles west of Interchange 57. Reconstruction will commence on the left shoulder of the westbound lane, while work takes place in the median during the day and a single lane closure at night. To facilitate this work, lane closures are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and continue through 9 a.m. the following day.

The approximate 13 miles of Thruway between Interchanges 57 and 58 that have been slated for rehabilitation under this contract translates into approximately 52 lane-miles. Nearly 42 lane-miles of the existing pavement will be reused as a new base for the asphalt overlay. The remaining 10 lane-miles will receive an unbonded concrete overlay on top of the existing pavement.

The project also includes the rehabilitation of six bridges, installation of new guiderail, rehabilitation of highway drainage systems through the corridor, and the construction of a 3.5-acre wetlands mitigation site at Evangola State Park in the Town of Evans.

Union Concrete and Construction was awarded the contract after it submitted the lowest proposals among five bidders. Work is scheduled to continue into the Winter of 2012.

The Authority manages 2,818 lane miles of highway and more than 800 bridges. More than 246.7 million trips were taken on the Thruway in 2009, representing more than 8.1 billion miles traveled. As such, it is imperative that the Authority' s highway and bridge assets remain in good condition and that there is a proper expenditure of resources to keep the highway free of debris, potholes, and snow and ice, to ensure the safe and efficient movement of goods, services and people.

For the latest information about the Authority's 2005-2011 Capital Program, please visit the Authority's website at www.nysthruway.gov/projectsandstudies/capitalprogram/.

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