Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of the Thruway (I-90) in Herkimer and Montgomery Counties renovation project. The $13.7 million infrastructure project included full and partial depth repairs. Additionally, it involved the resurfacing of approximately 50 lane miles located between exit 29A (Little Falls – Dolgeville – NY Route 169) and exit 29 (Sharon Springs – NY Route 10- Canajoharie). An estimated 24,000 motorists use this section of I-90 every day.
Project Details
The project involved full and partial depth pavement repairs. Moreover, mill and inlay on all lanes and shoulders in both directions of I-90 between milepost 197.9 and milepost 210.3. Mill and inlay were performed at all U-Turns in this section. This includes the acceleration and deceleration lanes. In addition, the parking lots at the Indian Castle and Iroquois Service Areas had the same process performed. All 10 mainline bridges located on this stretch of I-90 also had mill and inlay.
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More work included safety improvements such as new reflective line stripping. Furthermore, milled-in audible roadway delineators (MIARDs), also known as rumble strips, were installed on the shoulders, and upgrades to drainage.
Heidelberg Materials Northeast-NY LLC headquartered in Jamesville; NY was the contractor for the project. The Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway was built in the early 1950s. It is one of the oldest sections of the National Interstate Highway System. It is also one of the longest toll roads in the nation.
Funding of the Thruway (I-90)
The operation and maintenance of the Thruway system is funded mainly by tolls. The Thruway Authority does not receive any dedicated federal, state or local tax dollars. It is paid for by those who drive the Thruway. 75% of drivers who use it are from out of state.
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“We continue to invest in projects that improve our aging infrastructure. We are also setting a high standard of quality that prioritizes safety and modernization. This renovation project strengthens the overall safety and experience for everyday New Yorkers. Commercial drivers and visitors who travel this stretch of the Thruway are also safe,” Governor Hochul said.
The Thruway Authority’s top priority is the safety of the state’s employees and customers. In 2024, two vehicles struck three employees. Three other lives were claimed in separate incidents while they were working on the Thruway. The lives of Thruway Authority employees, roadway workers and emergency personnel depend on all of those who travel the highway.
The Michael J. Finerson Memorial Bridge reopening
Earlier this week, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the official reopening of the the Michael J. Finerson Memorial Bridge. The US$26 million project began in October two years ago. It improves the safety and enhances travel and resiliency along a vital connector that linking the communities along the Lake Ontario shoreline.
Additionally, it is an important artery for the flow of people, commerce and tourism in the region. New sidewalks, parking upgrades and a viewing platform also improve access to the site’s iconic scenery and a popular fishing spot nearby. The bridge is a local landmark that’s well-known among area residents for its sweeping views of Chaumont Bay
