Project Focuses on Preserving Kaaterskill Creek and Catskill Creek Bridges

All Traffic Will Be Shifted to Northbound Bridges During Construction

Project Expected to be Complete in Summer 2025

The New York State Thruway Authority today announced the start of a $9.3 million project to preserve four bridges on I-87 in Greene County – the Thruway bridge over Kaaterskill Creek (milepost 111.13) northbound and southbound, and the Thruway bridge over the Catskill Creek (milepost 113.22) northbound and southbound. The bridges are located between exit 21 (Catskill - Cairo - NY Route 23) and exit 20 (Saugerties - Woodstock - NY Route 32). More than 33,000 motorists travel in this area daily. The Kaaterskill Creek bridges and the Catskill Creek bridges were built in 1955.

“The project to preserve the Kaaterskill Creek and Catskill Creek bridges is one of several critical infrastructure improvement projects scheduled in our Capital Program this year,” Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said. “The concrete repairs and surrounding work will enhance the safety of the bridges and help maintain their longevity for years to come.”

As part of the project, concrete repairs will be made to the deck of the bridges, which will then be covered with a waterproof membrane and asphalt wearing surface. Repairs will also be made to the existing bridge railing systems and bridge drainage.

Beginning April 18, on both the Kaaterskill Creek bridge and Catskill Creek bridge, all traffic will be shifted to the northbound side for work on the southbound bridges. Work on the northbound bridges is expected to take place in 2025.

D.A. Collins Construction Co., Inc. of Wilton, NY is the project contractor following a competitive bidding process. The entire project is expected to be complete in Summer 2025. The work is weather dependent, and dates are subject to change.

Motorists are urged to be alert and follow the posted in work zone speed limits. Fines are doubled for speeding a work zone.  

To further enhance safety for workers in a work zone, Governor Hochul signed legislation establishing the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement pilot program. The safety enforcement program began in April 2023 and is in effect in various active construction zones on the Thruway. Work zones with speed camera enforcement will have clear signage leading up to the work zone. Motorists violating the posted speed limit within the work zone will be fined. Violation fines will be issued to the vehicle’s registered owner by mail. More information on the program can be found here. 

The Authority’s 2024 Budget invests a total of $451 million to support its Capital Program, which is expected to invest $2.4 billion into capital projects over the next five years—a $500 million increase following the recently enacted toll adjustment. The increased investment will lead to work on approximately half of the Thruway’s more than 2,800 lane miles as well as projects on approximately 90 of Thruway’s 817 bridges. 

For up-to-date travel information, motorists are encouraged to download its mobile app which is available to download for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides motorists direct access to real-time traffic and navigation assistance while on the go. Travelers can also visit the Thruway Authority's interactive Traveler Map which features live traffic cameras. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert e-mails, which provide the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway. 

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