“The Department of Transportation continues to make smart
transportation improvements across New York State,” Acting Commissioner Karas
said. “Rehabilitating these bridges will
help them stand the test of time, ensuring that travelers can get to where they
need to go now and well into the future.”
The project will replace deteriorated bridge bearings and
concrete pedestals with new concrete and bearings designed using the latest in
materials and technology. The new bearings are designed to be more earthquake
resistant and maintenance free. In addition, deteriorated concrete on bridge
substructures will be removed and replaced with new concrete and reinforcing
steel to extend the life of the bridge foundations.
The project will include significant repairs to the bridge
carrying eastbound Interstate 86 over State Route 36 in the town of
Hornellsville. This bridge has been hit
by vehicles and equipment multiple times over the years. The most recent bridge
strike caused major damage to two steel beams, which resulted in the closure of
one of the bridge’s travel lanes.
That repair will remove and replace the portion of the deck
over these beams, heat straightening the beam with less damage and removing and
replacing the existing beam. The new steel beam will be made from stronger
steel, allowing it to be shallower in height than the old beam. This will
provide greater clearance over State Route 36, reducing the chance of future
bridge strikes.
The other bridges being enhanced as part of this project
are:
· The I-86
bridge over Post Creek in the City of Corning, Steuben County
· The ramp over
I-86 eastbound and I-390 northbound in the Town of Avoca, Steuben County
· Two bridges
on I-99 over Glendening Creek in the Town of Lindley, Steuben County
This project has been designed to minimize impacts to
motorists. Drivers may encounter temporary lane and shoulder closures, longer
term lane closures controlled by signals and minor off-site detours when
necessary.
Steuben County Legislative Chair Joseph Hauryski said, “I am
pleased to see the investment being made by the state to improve the bridges in
the county. The improvements will insure the safety of those who travel on our
road system.”
Recently, NYSDOT and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee
unveiled a new public service announcement and social media campaign focused on
the importance of respecting flagging personnel. This year’s work zone safety
campaign, “Flaggers have families too,” is designed to remind motorists that
flagging personnel are not attempting to disrupt traffic – they are simply
doing their jobs and want to get home safely at the end of each work day. The
PSA can be viewed here and here.
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 license.
Accelerating Southern Tier Soaring
Today's announcement complements “Southern Tier Soaring the
region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and
community development. The State has already invested more than $4.6 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 Binghamton, Johnson City and Corning as a destination in which to
grow and invest. Now, the region is accelerating Southern Tier Soaring with a
$500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative.
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. More information is available here.
