Governor Cuomo Announces NY Works Program Advances North Country and Capital Region Bridge Projects With Design-Build Process

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the New York State Department of Transportation has awarded a $31.3 million contract through the NY Works program for critical repairs to 13 bridges in the North Country and Capital Region. The contract was awarded under the design-build method, and the project is estimated to create 430 jobs.

Design-build is a centerpiece of the NY Works program, providing a cost effective way to move construction projects quickly by allowing design and construction teams to innovate and develop best methods to improve New York’s bridges and highways. The Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) awarded the $31.3 million contract to construction contractor Kubricky Construction Corp. of Wilton, Saratoga County and design consultant VHB Engineering, Surveying & Landscaping Architecture of Albany.

"The NY Works program has taken the lead in launching vital projects to improve New York State's highways and bridges," Governor Cuomo said. "The contracts awarded today will support local economies in the Capital Region and the North Country, while creating jobs and making the state's transportation infrastructure safer for motorists."

New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Joan McDonald said, "Using design-build as a method to procure contracts further accelerates our work to improve New York’s bridge infrastructure with funding from the Governor’s innovative NY Works program. These contracts will enable the Department to improve safety for motorists and pedestrians and maintain critical links between communities."

Design-build contractors submit proposals to design and build a bridge at the same time. This usually results in a design consultant teaming up with a construction contractor to jointly deliver the project. Once proposals are submitted, NYSDOT engineers determine the "best value" bid, which relies 60 percent on cost and 40 percent on a technical score. The technical score is determined based on past experience with the companies and schedule acceleration, among other factors.

To expedite job creation and critical infrastructure repair projects across the state, Governor Cuomo worked with the Legislature last year to put the design-build process in place. Design-build allows for the combining of design and construction services into single contracts to help expedite repair work to vital infrastructure and save taxpayer money.

The contract includes deck replacements on the following bridges carrying:

• Western Gateway Bridge (Route 5) over the Mohawk River in Schenectady County. Construction is expected to begin in October and continue through the winter. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. The project will be completed in 2013.
• Route 9N over Northwest Bay Brook in Bolton, Warren County. The project will begin this month and is expected to be completed this fall. Traffic will be controlled by a temporary signal during construction.
• Route 912 over Route 9 in Lake George, Warren County. Work will begin after Labor Day and completed this fall. The bridge, which provides access to Interstate 87, the Northway, at Exit 22 will be closed to traffic during construction and a signed detour will utilize Route 9N and Interstate 87.
• Route 9N over Grove Brook in Port Henry, Essex County. Work will begin in mid-August and be completed this fall. Traffic will be controlled by a temporary signal during construction.
• Route 68 over Grannis Brook in Canton, St. Lawrence County. In addition to replacing the bridge deck, bearings will be repaired. The bridge will be closed during construction and the detour will utilize State Route 56 and US Route 11. The project is expected to begin in late August and be completed this fall.

The contract also includes the following bridge deck replacements that are scheduled to occur next year:

• Crosstown Connection (Route 7) over Interstate 890 in Schenectady County;
• State Street (Route 5) over Crosstown Connection (Route 7) in Schenectady, Schenectady County;
• Route 971V (Access road from Route 3 to Fort Drum) over Black River in LeRay, Jefferson County;
• Route 193 over Interstate 81 northbound and southbound in Ellisburg, Jefferson County;
• Route 177 over the North Branch of Sandy Creek in Rodman, Jefferson County;
• I-81 northbound and southbound over Route 232 in Watertown, Jefferson County
• Route 458 over the St. Regis River in Waverly, Franklin County; and
• Route 812 over Indian River in Croghan, Lewis County.

Senator Hugh T. Farley said, "I applaud the awarding of this transportation contract, which is another example of the benefits of the NY Works program. This contract will enable needed infrastructure improvements to be undertaken throughout the Capital District, benefitting motorists and businesses, while also creating needed jobs."

Senator Betty Little said, "This expedited design-build process is particularly beneficial to the North Country because of our typically shorter construction season. Work is getting done and progress is being made for the benefit of residents, local businesses and the hundreds of thousands of tourists, many towing boats and trailers, who count on safe routes to their beautiful destinations. I’m pleased to join with Governor Cuomo in making this announcement."

Senator Joseph A. Griffo said, "At a time when the needs of our infrastructure require substantial investment both to preserve past investments and protect the traveling public, this is an important project in a rural community with limited transportation options. I want to thank the Governor and the DOT for making the needs of the rural residents of Lewis County an important part of the state’s NY Works Initiative, which is helping to ensure that our state’s vital transportation infrastructure receives the investment it deserves."

Senator Patty Ritchie said, "Making these critical improvements to our North Country roadways will allow for easier, safer travel through our region, while at the same time creating hundreds of employment opportunities for job-seekers across New York State. I applaud Governor Cuomo for his commitment to improving our region's infrastructure, which will boost our economy through job creation."

Assembly Member Janet Duprey said, "I am pleased to see the commitment of the state DOT to repair our bridges and provide for improved safety for our drivers. This project will help create jobs in our community and continue the NY Works program."

Assembly Member George Amedore said, "Our bridges and roadways are a crucial part of our economic prosperity. The New York Works Fund is a critical tool, which will allow us to undertake numerous infrastructure projects - including these major arteries. I have long said that greater efforts must be made to address our aging infrastructure for New York to remain competitive. Governor Cuomo understands and shares that vision and I thank him for making this a top priority."

Assembly Member Addie Russell said, "Creating jobs by investing in our infrastructure is a win-win strategy. I applaud the governor’s focus on job creation and approach to building a stronger New York. The bridge work will benefit North Country residents and commerce, and put people to work, enabling them to support their families and improve their communities in the process."

Assembly Member Ken Blankenbush said, "Repairing our NYS bridges before they have a catastrophic failure is important not only to our safety, but also as a fundamental necessity for our economy. The design-build process is proving to be an efficient way to save taxpayer money and expedite repair work needing to be done."

Assembly Member Teresa R. Sayward said, "Bridges are a mainstay of our North Country transportation infrastructure. The NY Works program offers an opportunity for local companies to participate in these projects and continue the revitalization of the economy in the Adirondack region."

NY Works focuses on improving bridges that are in fair condition and bringing them to good condition. This rehabilitation work will better preserve the state’s infrastructure and guard against the need for more costly, in-depth construction. Bundling projects sites within close geographic locations into a single contract enables DOT to lower expenses and obtain lower bids.

Motorists may encounter flaggers directing traffic and should expect travel delays. It is imperative that the traveling public remember this season to drive carefully through the many highway and bridge construction zones they will encounter.

For real-time travel information, call 511 or visit www.511NY.org. 511NY is New York State's official traffic and travel information source. The 511NY site and mobile app provides offers free, 24/7, statewide real-time traffic and transit information for all of New York State. It also offers a transit trip planner, camera views, as well as weather alerts and forecasts. New features available at the website include additional mobile app features, border crossing times, new notifications on the home page, and an interface that is easier to navigate.