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Hochul announces $8.3 million Beaver Island Parkway Bridge project

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Fri, Mar 24th 2023 02:35 pm

Will include upgraded safety features including increased vertical clearance, improved road surface and wider travel lanes

√ Existing bridge scheduled to close week of April 3 for duration of project; detour will be in place

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday announced an $8.3 million project to replace the Beaver Island Parkway Bridge over the Niagara Thruway (I-190), which is scheduled to begin the week of March 27.

"Grand Island is an integral international gateway for tourism and commercial traffic into New York State, welcoming millions of people from Canada each year," Hochul said. "By replacing this nearly 70-year-old bridge, the Thruway Authority continues to modernize the state's transportation infrastructure, creating an improved travel experience and easier commutes for New Yorkers."

Located in the Town of Grand Island, the Beaver Island Parkway Bridge (milepost 15.46) was built in 1954 and carries approximately 13,000 vehicles per day over I-190. When completed, the new bridge will feature wider travel lanes and emergency shoulders, increased vertical clearance from 14'2" to 16'9", a new guiderail and new riding surface. The existing structure is expected to close to all traffic the week of April 3, weather-dependent.

Since 2018, the Thruway Authority has reinvested more than $173.1 million in capital infrastructure projects in its Buffalo division, including more than $80.9 million to replace or rehabilitate 69 bridges. That area spans from I-90 in Rochester to the Pennsylvania border, as well as the Niagara Thruway (I-190) from the mainline to Niagara Falls.

Thruway Authority Interim Executive Director Frank Hoare said, "The Beaver Island Parkway Bridge, like many other bridges on our roadway, is original to the thruway system and is in need of replacement. Motorists are seeing their toll dollars at work with infrastructure projects such as this one, reinvesting toll revenue back into the maintenance and long-term viability of our system. Addressing aging infrastructure is a top priority, and motorists will enjoy an improved travel experience on the new bridge once the project is complete."

New York State Sen. Tim Kennedy said, "The Beaver Island State Parkway Bridge serves as a vital arterial for Grand Island residents and, over the years, its condition has worsened with usage. After asking the thruway to expedite its replacement project, I was pleased to see the authority prioritize these repairs and incorporate public feedback into substantial improvements. This project is not only an investment in Western New York's infrastructure, but in the people who call Grand Island home."

Assemblymember Angelo Morinello said, "Thank you to the New York State Thruway Authority for recognizing the need to replace the almost 70-year-old Beaver Island Parkway Bridge over the Niagara Thruway. Bridge replacement is a priority for New York, and I am pleased that Grand Island has been chosen for one of the initial bridge placements."

Beginning the morning of April 3, the Beaver Island Bridge is scheduled to close to all traffic for the duration of the project, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023. The work is highly weather-dependent, and dates are subject to change.

During construction, the exit 18B (Beaver Island State Park) ramp from I-190 northbound will be closed. A 3.8-mile detour will direct local traffic to exit 19 (Whitehaven Road) to access I-190 northbound or southbound. Motorists traveling on I-190 southbound can take South Parkway at exit 18 (Beaver Island State Park/No Northbound Exit). Detour signs will be posted.

Union Concrete and Construction Corp. of West Seneca is the contractor for the project.

Variable message signs will advise motorists of the construction work and detour information.

Motorists are reminded that, in New York state, fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. 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 license.

For up-to-date travel information and real-time traffic cameras, motorists are encouraged to download the Thruway Authority's mobile app, which is available on iPhone and Android devices. Travelers can also visit the Thruway Authority's interactive Traveler Map for real-time traffic updates, or sign up for TRANSalerts for traffic information.

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