Motorists who regularly travel along Interstate 88 in Schoharie and Otsego counties can expect a smoother ride in the near future, as Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the start of two major rehabilitation projects with a combined investment nearing $42 million. “These projects along Interstate 88 will provide improved mobility for thousands of motorists who travel this vital highway every day and enhance the resiliency of one of our most important arteries for the flow of people and commerce in New York,” according to the Governor's Office.
The first project, coming in at $15.7 million involves renovating a 5.5-mile section of the highway starting from where Schoharie meets Otsego County to Exit 20 in Richmondville, covering the concrete surface with a two-inch fiber reinforced asphalt topping thereby making for a more resilient and plane surface and the eastbound lanes are on the docket this year with expected single lane closures, in 2026 work will shift to the westbound lanes with expectations to wrap up by year's end in the same year.
Meanwhile, a $26 million endeavor began last year focusing on a 4.3-mile length between Exits 18 and 19, inclusive of 10 culvert repairs and uplifted guide rail, also replacing bearings and pedestals on the bridges over South Hill Road, "Governor Hochul’s commitment to renewing our critical infrastructure and connecting communities is unwavering and this investment in Interstate 88 is another demonstration of that," noted New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez in the announcement by the Governor's Office.
Add to that Senator Charles Schumer praised the federal funding's role in these transformative works, highlighting the perks for upstate New Yorkers "creating good-paying jobs" while improving the key corridor, as per Senator Schumer's remarks in the public release and paralleling those thoughts was Representative Josh Riley acknowledged the importance of I-88 to local economies and communities, and showed pride in assisting to secure the necessary federal funding, as per the Governor's Office.
