News from New York State Department of Transportation

For more information contact: Carol Breen, 518-457-6400

NYSDOT Receives $1 Million “Highways for Life” Award

Federal Grant to Fund Innovative Project on Interstate 88

ALBANY, NY (10/15/2007; 1403)(readMedia)-- New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Astrid C. Glynn today announced the receipt of a competitive award and the accompanying $1 million Highways for LIFE grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The grant was awarded to NYSDOT to be used on an innovative project to replace 15 bridge approaches on Interstate 88 in Delaware and Schoharie counties.

“I am proud that the Department of Transportation has been recognized for our creative approach to increasing safety, reducing congestion and improving the quality of highway infrastructure on our upcoming Interstate 88 project,” Commissioner Glynn said. “Governor Eliot Spitzer is committed to advancing New York’s transportation system, and this is just one example of the FHWA’s recognition of NYSDOT innovations.”

The project will consist of replacing 15 bridge approaches with precast concrete slabs. The precast slabs are prepared in a controlled environment that renders them both higher in strength and more resistant to deterioration. Construction activities will be performed at night and the use of precast slabs, rather than pouring concrete on site, will require only short-term lane closures. This will result in a reduction of traffic congestion that is typically associated with daytime highway construction and lane closures. One lane will be open during all phases of nighttime construction and traffic delays are expected to be minimal. During day time, all lanes will be reopened to traffic. Performing construction operations at night, when traffic volumes are lower, reduces safety risks for workers and for the traveling public.

Construction on the project is expected to begin in the spring of 2009 and be completed by early fall 2009. Total project cost is $2 million.

The purpose of Highways for LIFE awards is to provide an incentive to help develop new approaches to transportation construction. LIFE is the acronym for Longer-lasting highway infrastructure using Innovations to accomplish the Fast construction of Efficient and safe highways and bridges. To qualify for an award, a project must demonstrate that safety will be improved during and after construction; congestion caused by construction will be reduced; and the quality of the highway infrastructure will be improved. A state must use an innovative technology, process or method that it has never or rarely used before.

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