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ANDREW'S FIXING I-690

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.

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