Rockland County drivers can anticipate smoother travels ahead as Governor Kathy Hochul has green-lit a rehabilitation project for two bridges on the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) in Suffern. A sizeable $19.4 million has been earmarked to breathe new life into the over 70-year-old structures, ensuring their reliability for future generations of motorists. During the construction period, lane shifts will be implemented, but a trio of travel lanes will stay open in both directions to accommodate the approximately 120,000 vehicles that navigate this busy corridor daily.
In a statement obtained by the Governor's office, Hochul emphasized the state's vow to rejuvenate its roads and bridges. "This investment will help enhance safety, ensuring a smoother ride for the tens of thousands of regional travelers who use this vital Thruway corridor each day," she said. Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare concurred, highlighting the dedication to using toll dollars for infrastructure upgrades. “The Thruway Authority is dedicated to reinvesting toll dollars to modernize its infrastructure. These bridges have served us reliably over the decades and we are undertaking efforts to ensure they remain safe and dependable for the tens of millions of motorists who use them each year,” he told the Governor's office.
Contractor DeFoe Corp. is at the helm of this renovation venture and will focus on improving concrete substructures, steel superstructures, and completely replacing the past-its-prime concrete deck and parapets with cutting-edge precast concrete deck panels. Furthermore, they're set to overhaul the bridge joints over the Mahwah River. During the prelim stage last fall, early work set the stage for the current efforts, which will extend between exits 14B and 15 on I-87.
Additional facets of the project encompass the fortification of median drainage structures, the erection of fresh median barriers, and the application of new pavement markings. Signage will guide motorists through the transition into altered traffic patterns. State Senator Bill Weber, in a communication highlighted by the Governor's office, underscored the significance of the investment, “Investing in our aging infrastructure is essential. The improvements to these aging bridges on the Thruway are critical and will benefit thousands of commuters who travel them each day. I appreciate the state’s commitment to making these much-needed repairs,” he said.
The Governor's announcement also brings into view the broader financial strategy of the Thruway Authority. Commanding a $477.3 million budget for capital projects in 2025 signifies a notable rise from the previous year’s capital, paving the way for enhancements across 61 percent of the Thruway’s 2,800-plus pavement lane miles and the refurbishment or replacement of 20 percent of its bridges.
