For Immediate Release: April 16, 2009

Thruway Authority Announces Eastbound Lane Shift for 15-mile Reconstruction Project between Interchanges 39 & 40 To Begin Friday, April 17

The New York State Thruway Authority today announced that the 15-mile pavement reconstruction project currently taking place between Interchanges 39 (Syracuse, Fulton, I-690) and 40 (Weedsport, Auburn, Route 34), in Onondaga and Cayuga Counties, will utilize a lane shift to move all eastbound traffic to the westbound travel lanes beginning the morning of Friday, April 17. The eastbound travel lanes will be reconstructed in 2009.

Beginning this Friday morning, all eastbound traffic will be temporarily shifted to the westbound travel lanes for approximately five miles. During this traffic shift, both westbound and eastbound motorists will utilize the westbound travel lanes; westbound and eastbound traffic will be separated by concrete barrier. Two lanes in both directions will be open during peak travel periods.

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 and any delays that may result, 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 has been reduced within 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.

The $128 million project is being performed by Cold Spring Construction Company of Akron, N.Y. and is scheduled for completion in late November 2011.

For more project related information please visit the Authority’s website at www.nysthruway.gov and click on “Projects and Studies.”

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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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