For Immediate Release: April 16, 2010
Thruway Authority Announces $210 Million To Be Let In Capital Construction Projects Within the Albany Division
The New York State Thruway Authority today announced approximately $210 million in projects will be let within the Albany Division this year as part of the Authority’s 2010 Contracts Program. The projects are part of the largest one-year letting level of capital investments ($637 million) in the Thruway’s history.
“I commend the Thruway Authority for properly investing in the Thruway’s highways and bridges,” said Governor David A. Paterson. “These critical investments will not only save money on repairs in the future, when they’d be more costly, but will create jobs during a time in which they are desperately needed. The Authority’s 2010 infrastructure improvement plan will go a long way in making travel along the Thruway smoother, more convenient and safer for the users of the system.”
“The Thruway’s infrastructure is now more than 50 years old; more frequent and more costly repairs are required to maintain safe and reliable driving conditions for the millions of motorists who choose to travel the Thruway each year,” said Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael R. Fleischer.
“The largest single project in the Albany Division, at an estimated cost of $115 million, is the reconstruction of approximately six miles between Albany Interchanges 23 and 24,” said Fleischer. “Along with the full-depth pavement reconstruction, the project also includes the construction of a third lane in both directions which will relieve congestion in this heavily used commuter corridor.”
Other major projects planned for the Albany Division in 2010 include*:
- Pavement resurfacing from milepost 121, south of Interchange 21B (Coxsackie) to milepost 141 near Interchange 23 (Albany, I-787), and from Interchange 24 (Albany, I-87) at milepost 148.15 to west of Interchange 25 (Schenectady, I-890) at milepost 153.85. This project also includes the resurfacing of the Thruway over Coeymans Creek bridge deck. The total project cost is approximately $18.3 million.
- Pavement resurfacing from milepost 180 east of Interchange 28 (Fultonville-Fonda) to milepost 198 west of Interchange 29 (Canajoharie), approximately $14 million. Under a separate contract, safety upgrades will be made along the same stretch of the highway, at a cost of approximately $4.5 million.
- Pavement resurfacing and safety upgrades from milepost 87 north of Interchange 18 (New Paltz) to milepost 94 north of Interchange 19 (Kingston), approximately $10 million.
- Nearly seven miles of pavement resurfacing and safety upgrades on the Berkshire Spur, from the Canaan Toll Barrier to the Massachusetts State Line, approximately $7.5 million.
- Rock removal along southbound I-87 from just north of Interchange 21 (Catskill-Cairo), approximately $7.5 million.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, transportation infrastructure accounts for 11 percent of the nation’s economic activity. For every dollar invested in highway construction, the local economy receives $5.60 in economic benefits — a return on investment of more than 500 percent. Highway construction also creates thousands of jobs. Every $1 billion in highway construction creates more than 42,000 employment opportunities.
“The Authority’s primary source of revenue comes from tolls. The Authority receives no State funding and receives very little Federal funding,” added Fleischer.
The Authority manages 2,818 lane miles of highway and more than 800 bridges. More than 246.7 million trips were taken on the Thruway in 2009, representing more than 8.1 billion miles traveled. As such, it is imperative that the Authority’s highways and bridge assets remain in good condition and that there is a proper expenditure of resources to keep the highway free of debris, potholes, and snow and ice, to ensure the safe and efficient movement of goods, services and people.
For the latest information about the Authority’s 2005-2011 Capital Program, please visit the Authority’s website at
www.thruway.ny.gov/projectsandstudies/capitalprogram/index.html.
*The dollar figures shown above represent low bids or approved construction costs; the exact value of each project will be determined through the competitive bid process.
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