For Immediate Release: March 31, 2009

Thruway Authority Announces 15-mile Reconstruction Project Between Interchanges 39 & 40 Set to Resume Early April

The New York State Thruway Authority today announced the project to reconstruct 15 miles of Thruway pavement between Interchanges 39 (Syracuse, Fulton, I-690) and 40 (Weedsport, Auburn, Route 34), in Onondaga and Cayuga Counties is set to resume the week of April 6.  The $128 million project was awarded last fall to Cold Spring Construction Company of Akron, New York. 

“This portion of the Thruway is more than 50 years old and extensive capital investments are required; the original pavement will be replaced resulting in a smoother, more convenient ride for Thruway motorists,” said Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael R. Fleischer.

While temporary shoulder work was conducted last fall, the remainder of the project will include the complete reconstruction of two travel lanes in both directions, shoulder work, rehabilitation of four bridges, reconstruction and various safety improvements of ramps at Interchanges 39, 40 and the Warners Travel Plaza, installation of CCTV traffic monitoring cameras (used to assist the Authority in incident response and traffic management), in-pavement vehicle count stations, and weigh-in motion stations to detect truck loads, and the relocation of utilities.     

To mitigate traffic impacts during the project, construction will take place in three 5-mile segments.  The eastbound travel lanes will be reconstructed in 2009.  To complete eastbound work, beginning the week of April 6, all traffic will be temporarily shifted to the westbound lanes. Two lanes in both directions will be open during peak travel periods. 

To further mitigate traffic impacts, Authority worked closely with the New York State Department of Transportation and local emergency service providers to develop an extensive incident management plan.  Additionally, the Authority will utilize a variety of strategies to manage traffic flow during construction; however, to avoid traffic delays, Thruway travelers and commercial traffic are strongly encouraged to travel during off peak hours and allow extra travel time during this period.

Motorists will be informed about the project via electronic Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) placed along the highway and by Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) broadcasts on 1610 AM in the Rochester area, 1620 AM in the Syracuse, Waterloo/Geneva areas, and 540 AM in the Utica area; the Authority will also send frequent project updates, complete with pertinent lane closure information, to the media.  Thruway motorists may also receive the latest project lane closure information by calling 1-800-THRUWAY (800-847-8929).

All motorists are reminded that the speed limit will be reduced when traveling through the construction zone.  Motorists are reminded to obey the posted work zone speed limit signs; fines are doubled for speeding through work zones.  Additional State Police Troop T members will be stationed within the active work zone to enforce the vehicle and traffic laws to ensure the safety of motorists and construction workers alike. 

Working closely with the Army Corps of Engineers, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, US Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Environmental Protection Agency, this project will also take important steps to protect the environment from construction impacts.

“Significant effort was invested to ensure that safety for the traveling public was not compromised, while designing the highway to minimize and avoid impacts to wetlands,” added Fleischer.

To mitigate for any wetlands that will be affected during the construction, the project also includes the creation of at least 11 acres of wetlands.  Additional environmental protection measures include; soil and erosion control, the prevention of the introduction of invasive plant species in wetlands, the avoidance of impacts to endangered species, and landscaping, such as planting trees at interchanges and other selected areas throughout the 15-mile corridor. 

The three-year project is scheduled for completion in late November 2011.

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The Authority offers a free email service called TRANSalert to its customers via email or text messaging to inform them of major unscheduled incidents that may affect their travel on the Thruway. To sign up for the TRANSalert service, customers can visit the Authority's website at www.nysthruway.gov/tas/.

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