Governor Cuomo Announces Start of $65 Million Improvements on Interstate 690 in Syracuse
Project to Improve Access and Safety of Interchange at Teall Avenue and Beech Street Infrastructure Investment Complements "Central NY Rising" – Governor Cuomo's Successful Upstate Revitalization Initiative Blueprint to Grow the Economy
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced that is underway on the $65
million reconstruction of Interstate 690 at its intersection with Teall
Avenue and Beech Street in the city of Syracuse, Onondaga County. The
two-year project will improve access to the interstate, ease traffic congestion
and enhance traffic safety and capacity.
"New York is rebuilding critical infrastructure to improve mobility
and boost economic growth for communities across the state, and this investment
will provide Central New York with the support needed to meet the demands
of a growing community,"
Governor Cuomo said. "The significant transportation improvements set to take place in
the heart of Syracuse will ensure residents and businesses have access
to safe, reliable bridges and roads for decades to come."
The Teall-Beech project will replace the single-span bridge over Teall
Avenue. The 15 span Beech Street viaduct will also be replaced with a
single new span over Beech Street and a new highway section on an embankment
supported by retaining walls. Construction crews will utilize a unique
method of soil stabilization that will compress the soil and minimize
excavation.
This area of Teall Avenue and Beech Street will be reconstructed, as will
the I-690 interchange with Teall Avenue, to improve traffic movement and
reduce congestion, especially during the morning and afternoon rush hours.
The work will include utility upgrades as well.
"Governor Cuomo knows the importance of transportation and this project
is a winner for the city of Syracuse and its residents,"
said New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Mathew J. Driscoll. "By modernizing the Teall Avenue and Beech Street bridges and the
roadways around them, we are improving safety for motorists and pedestrians,
now and into the future."
This project is being done under a Design-Build contract. Design-Build
allows for the combining of design and construction services into single
contracts on vital infrastructure projects to save time on project completion
and taxpayer money. Design-build provides cost certainty for the state
with contractors assuming the risk for project delays and cost overruns.
Consistent with Governor Cuomo's Driver's First initiative, the
project has been designed to minimize impacts to expressway traffic.
During construction, traffic on I-690 will be reduced to two lanes in
each direction, using on-site crossovers. During this year's work
in the westbound direction, the westbound off- and on-ramps will be closed
to all traffic. In 2018, when eastbound work will be taking place, the
off- and on-ramps will be closed. During the winter of 2017-2018, the
crossover pattern will not be in effect and all ramps will be open. Traffic
is slated to be driving on the new bridges by the end of 2018, with the
final paving work taking place in the spring of 2019.
Motorists are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in work zones.
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's license.
Senator David J. Valesky said, "Interstate 690 at Teall Ave. is a high-use area that often sees
congestion, potentially creating unsafe situations for drivers. This investment
in highway infrastructure will ease traffic flow and improve driver safety,
as well as put local people to work."
Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli said, "The need to rebuild our transportation infrastructure is one of
the State's highest priorities, a priority reflected in the newly
enacted State Budget. This new $65 million project is an important investment
in the transportation infrastructure of Central New York. I am pleased
that the State has made this Central New York project a priority."
Assemblywoman Pamela J. Hunter said, "Renovating New York's aging highways and bridges has been a
high priority for a longtime. I applaud the $65 million project to improve
I690 and expand access to the interstate. An investment like this underscores
the value of Syracuse as a center of commerce and will surely provide
great improvements to traffic conditions in and around the city once complete."
For up-to-date information, call 511, visit
www.511.org, or the mobile site at m.511ny.org.
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Accelerating Central NY Rising
This project complements "Central NY Rising," the region's
comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community
development. The state has already invested nearly $3 billion in the region
since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan – capitalizing on
global market opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating
an inclusive economy. 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 Syracuse, Oswego and
Auburn as a destination to grow and invest in.
Now, the region is accelerating Central NY Rising with a $500 million
State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced
by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. 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 5,900 new jobs.
More information is available here.