NY WORKS BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION BEGINS IN CAPITAL DISTRICT
Congress Street Bridge Over Hudson River Under Way

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald today announced that construction has begun on a $19.9 million contract to replace the bridge decks on 11 structures in the Capital District through Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s NY Works program.

Commissioner McDonald was joined by elected officials at an afternoon press conference in Troy to highlight work on the Congress Street Bridge between Troy, Rensselaer County, and Watervliet, Albany County.

“Governor Cuomo’s NY Works program speeds up our bridge and highway reconstruction efforts and puts people back to work,” Commissioner McDonald said “The traveling public will see nearly twice as much highway work than just last year. We ask motorists to be patient and drive carefully through construction zones.”

With today’s announcement, construction has begun on another NY Works bridge improvement project only three 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. This rehabilitation work will better preserve the state’s infrastructure and guard against the need for more costly, in-depth construction. Bundling project sites within close geographic locations into a single contract enables DOT to lower expenses and obtain lower bids for construction.

As part of the NY Works contract, construction contractor Bette & Cring of Latham, Albany County, has begun work to replace the deck on the Congress Street Bridge, carrying Route 2 over Interstate 787 and the Hudson River between Watervliet and Troy.

Congressman Paul Tonko said, “By rebuilding our roads and bridges, we not only improve our infrastructure and help our business community move goods and products, but we also create jobs. Seeing construction signs or cones on the road is a reminder that New Yorkers are getting back to work, specifically in the construction industry, a sector that was hit so hard during the Great Recession. I was proud to support the reauthorization of the Highway Trust Fund just last week, and will continue to fight for investments that make the Capital Region’s infrastructure a better place to live, work and raise a family.”

Senator Neil Breslin said, “I applaud Governor Cuomo and Commissioner McDonald for their efforts to improve the infrastructure throughout the Capital District. A strong infrastructure is not only important to our local economy, it is critical for the safety and well-being of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians alike.”

Troy Mayor Lou Rosamilia said, “Creating job opportunities while implementing much-needed improvements to the state’s aging infrastructure is the win-win element of Governor Cuomo’s NY Woks program. This multi-million dollar investment into the Congress Street Bridge is critical to the future condition and stability of a key corridor into Troy and Watervliet.”

Watervliet Mayor Mike Manning said, “New York State has shown commitment and a great effort towards the preservation of local infrastructure here in Watervliet and throughout the Capital Region. I would like to thank community members for their patience and encourage everyone to drive safely during construction.”

During construction on the Congress Street Bridge, one lane in each direction will be closed to traffic. The Left Turn/Through traffic lane at the intersection of Route 2 and 19th Street in Watervliet will be reconfigured to a left-turn only lane during construction. One sidewalk will remain open for the duration of the project.

Work on the portion of bridge over I-787 will take place this year. Work on the portion of bridge over the Hudson River will take place next year. The project will include some steel and concrete repairs.

In addition to the Congress Street Bridge, the following bridge work will be completed this year as part of the contract:
• Deck replacement work has begun on the bridge carrying Washington Avenue over I-90 in Rensselaer, Rensselaer County. Lanes will be closed, with alternating one-way traffic controlled by flaggers. Work is expected to be completed this year.
• Work has begun to replace the decks on the bridges carrying Interstate 90 eastbound and westbound over Krafts Road in Schodack, Rensselaer County. Lane closures are in effect in each direction and construction is expected to be completed this year.
• Work will begin later this summer to replace the decks on the bridges carrying Route 22 over East Creek in Stephentown and Route 22 over Dill Brook in Petersburgh, both in Rensselaer County.

As part of the contract, decks will be replaced next year on the following bridges:
• Route 23 over Sutton Hollow Creek in Ashland, Greene County
• Route 162 over railroad tracks in Root, Montgomery County
• Route 20 over Fly Creek in Esperance, Schoharie County
• Route 20 over Wyomanock Creek in New Lebanon, Columbia County
• Route 23B over Claverack Creek in Claverack, Columbia County

Motorists may encounter flaggers directing traffic and should expect travel delays. It is imperative that motorists remember this season to drive carefully through the many highway and bridge construction zones they will encounter.

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 provides offers 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 easier to navigate.