A $9.3 million bridge replacement project on the New York State Thruway (I-90) has officially begun in the Village of Whitesboro, Oneida County.
The project targets the 150-foot-long bridge that spans Oriskany Boulevard (Route 69) at milepost 238.22. This bridge, which opened in 1955, carries Thruway traffic in both directions between exit 31 (Utica – I-790 – NY Routes 8 & 12) and exit 32 (Westmoreland – Rome – NY Route 233) and sees over 23,000 vehicles daily.
“The replacement of the bridge over Oriskany Boulevard will significantly improve safety and the driving experience for thousands of motorists,” said Frank G. Hoare, executive director of the Thruway Authority.
The project will be completed in three phases to minimize disruptions. Initially, the focus is on preparing median crossover areas for construction, which is underway. Starting in spring 2025, westbound traffic will be diverted onto the eastbound bridge to facilitate its replacement.
Traffic will be realigned for the winter, with the final stage beginning in 2026 when eastbound traffic will use the new westbound bridge while the eastbound span is rebuilt. The project is slated for completion by the end of 2026.
The new bridge will feature metalized girders and other structural steel components to prevent rust and corrosion. Tioga Construction of Herkimer, NY, has been awarded the contract following a competitive bidding process.
Motorists can expect occasional lane closures and brief overnight stoppages during construction. Updates will be posted on digital highway signs and the Thruway’s website. A Public Information Session held in August 2024 provided details on the project, with a fact sheet available at thruway.ny.gov.
The Authority’s 2024 Budget invests a total of $451 million to support its Capital Program, which is expected to invest $2.4 billion into capital projects over the next five years — a $500 million increase following the enacted toll adjustment that went into effect Jan. 1.
The increased investment will lead to work on approximately half of the Thruway’s more than 2,800 lane miles as well as projects on approximately 90 of Thruway’s 817 bridges.
