NY WORK PROJECTS OPENED TO BIDDING IN THE 4TH SENATE DISTRICT

Owen H. Johnson

CREATING JOBS THIS SUMMER WHILE IMPROVING THE CONDITION OF ROADS AND BRIDGES ON LONG ISLAND

First Contracts Awarded to Begin Vital Highway and Bridge Repairs

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced that contracts for 22 additional New York Works projects have been opened to bidding, representing more than $39 million in repair work to highways, bridges, and parks across New York State.

The State Department of Transportation (DOT) opened bids on three separate NY Works contracts, which represent $34.8 million in highway and bridge construction at 19 sites. The State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) opened bids on three separate NY Works contracts which represent $4.2 million in repair and upgrade projects at three state parks.

The Governor also announced that the first NY Works highway and bridge contracts have been awarded representing a $71.2 million investment for repair work to 31 roads and bridges.

DOT awarded contracts representing $51.4 million in construction on 30 roads and bridges across New York State.

"The NY Works program is working effectively to jumpstart important infrastructure repair and rebuilding projects across New York State," Governor Cuomo said. "The first NY Works transportation contracts have been awarded less than two months after the passage of the state budget, allowing these projects to move forward now. These investments will create jobs in communities across New York, while making the state a better place to live for all our residents."

Department of Transportation
Contracts opened for bidding in Senator Owen H. Johnson’s 4th Senate District include:
•A $10 million contract to replace parapets – the walls along each side of a bridge – on bridges on Long Island, the following of which are in Senator Owen H. Johnson’s 4th Senate District:
Little East Neck Road over the Southern State Parkway in the town of Babylon, Suffolk County;

Belmont Avenue over the Southern State Parkway in the town of Babylon, Suffolk County;

Route 231 Deer Park Avenue over the Southern State Parkway in the town of Babylon, Suffolk County; and

Udalls Road over the Southern State Parkway in the town of Islip, Suffolk County.



With the Governor's announcement, the first NY Works transportation improvement contracts have been awarded only six weeks after Governor Cuomo signed the 2012-2013 Budget allowing funding for these projects to move forward.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald said, "Only six weeks after Governor Cuomo implemented the innovative NY Works program, we have opened bids for more than 150 projects and awarded two contracts. We also are continuing to advance projects that will create jobs this summer while improving the condition of roads and bridges across New York State."

Bundling projects sites within close geographic locations into a single contract enables DOT to lower expenses and obtain lower bids. Funding from the NY Works program allows DOT to address infrastructure deficiencies before they require expensive, large-scale repair projects. NY Works is designed to address not only the infrastructure needs of all deteriorating roads and bridges, but the program will also focus on pavement and bridge decks that are in fair condition and improve their condition to good. This preventive maintenance work will better preserve the state's infrastructure and guard against the need for more costly, in-depth construction. Overall, bids have been opened on more than $200 million in work at 167 project sites since the program was implemented.

Projects with final design approval are advertised to construction contractors in advance of the bid opening date. Contractors then develop detailed plans for construction that are submitted to the State Department of Transportation (DOT). The contractor with the lowest bid has its proposal sent to the State Attorney General and State Comptroller's offices for review and approval.

DOT will continue to open contract bids and award NY Works projects during the next months.

Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation
Contracts opened for bidding in the 4th Senate District include:

An estimated $3 million project to rehabilitate the boat basin and fishing pier at Captree State Park.