NY WORKS PROGRAM ADVANCES CAPITAL REGION BRIDGE PROJECTS WITH DESIGN-BUILD PROCESS

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I - Schenectady) joined Governor Andrew M. Cuomo in announcing 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.

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.

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.

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;

Senator 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."

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' 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.