Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that work is underway on $36 million in road and bridge projects in the Southern Tier. The infrastructure projects complement "Southern Tier Soaring," the region's $3.1 billion investment to support economic and community growth.
"Ensuring infrastructure is safe and reliable for residents, businesses and visitors alike is essential to expanding economic opportunity in the Southern Tier," Governor Cuomo said. "This administration has made an unprecedented commitment to revamping and rebuilding its roads, bridges and other key transportation hubs to help ensure future growth and create a stronger and more prosperous New York for all."
The project investments include:
• $24.1 million to repair nearly six miles of pavement on Interstate 86 between exits 46 and 48 in the town of Corning, Steuben County.
• $5.2 million to paint steel girders, replace bearings and do general maintenance repairs on bridges located in Allegany, Steuben, Chemung, Schuyler, and Yates counties.
• $3.8 million to rehabilitate the bridge carrying Route 14 over the Chemung River in the city of Elmira, Chemung County.
• $2.1 million to replace the bridge carrying Route 14A over Big Stream in the village of Dundee, Yates County.
• $800,000 to seal various bridge decks along I-86 in Allegany County.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Matthew J. Driscoll said, "Transportation is critical for growing local and regional economies, which is why projects like this are so important. The Southern Tier will be a safer and more efficient place to travel when these road and bridge repairs are completed."
Consistent with Governor Cuomo's Driver's First initiative, all the projects have been designed to minimize impacts to the traveling public.
I-86 Exits 46 to 48
This project includes repairing pavement, along with minor bridge repairs, in order to provide a smooth driving surface and extend the pavement life for many years to come. Interstate 86 is a major freight and tourist route and a vital economic pipeline for the Southern Tier. The first phase of the project was completed in 2016, with final completion targeted for the fall of 2017.
The majority of work will be completed using night construction to minimize driver impacts on this busy route. The project will use an innovative lighting system that allows for improved efficiency, safety and cost savings.
Bridge Maintenance
This project will include painting, replacing bearings and other general repairs on a number of bridges in the Southern Tier. Work will be completed this fall.
The work includes sand blasting to remove existing paint followed by repainting on seven bridges; bearing and joint work on five bridges; and maintenance work on various other bridges as needed. These timely preventive and corrective maintenance repairs preserve the bridges and extend their useful life while improving safety.
One lane of traffic in each direction will remain open on the bridges at all times during construction to minimize driver impacts.
Route 14 over the Chemung River
The project includes repairing the deck and other concrete elements on the structure. The Chemung River Bridge is a vital north-south link within the city of Elmira, carrying more than 12,000 vehicles each day. Work is expected to be completed this fall.
One lane of traffic in each direction will remain open on the bridge at all times during construction to minimize driver impacts.
Route 14A over Big Stream
This project will completely replace the bridge carrying Route 14A over Big Stream, located between Chambers and Saunders streets. The new bridge will be a concrete multi-beam structure. Work is expected to be completed this fall.
Traffic will be accommodated using a temporary bridge on-site and traffic signals will direct vehicles at the nearby intersections in order to minimize driver impacts.
Deck Sealing
The concrete decks on a number of bridges along I-86 will receive a thin polymer overlay to seal the concrete surface from water and salt infiltration to preserve the bridges and extend their useful life. Work is anticipated to be completed this summer.
To minimize impacts to motorists, traffic will be maintained onsite with lane shifts and lane closures.
Motorists are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. In accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual's driver's license.
Today's announcement complements "Southern Tier Soaring" – the region's comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. New York has already invested more than $3.1 billion in the region since 2012 to lay for groundwork for the plan – attracting a talented workforce, growing business and driving innovation. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like the Southern Tier as a destination in which to grow and invest.
Now, the region is accelerating "Southern Tier Soaring" with a $500 million investment through New York's Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The state's $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region's plan, as submitted, projects up to 10,200 new jobs.
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