More than $17 million has been invested in highway infrastructure improvements with the completion of three projects on the New York State Thruway in Central New York, Governor Kathy Hochul announced. The projects were finished on schedule and within budget.
“Infrastructure investments are benefiting New Yorkers by modernizing our transportation system and improving the quality of life for travelers, local businesses and residents,” Governor Hochul said. “These projects are transforming our roadways, critical for the economy and improving travel for millions of motorists.”
Frank G. Hoare, Executive Director of the New York State Thruway Authority, commented: “The Thruway Authority continues to strategically reinvest toll revenue back into the system, modernizing the more than 71-year-old roadway and enhancing safety and reliability. These projects reflect the Thruway Authority’s ongoing commitment to investing into the roadway, helping to maintain some of the lowest toll rates in the nation while ensuring the Thruway remains one of the safest superhighways in the country.”
Since 2024, nearly $170 million from toll revenue has been allocated to capital infrastructure projects within the Syracuse Division of the Thruway Authority. This division manages over 150 miles between Fort Plain in Montgomery County and Victor in Ontario County. The proposed 2026-2030 Capital Plan suggests over $470 million will be directed toward additional capital projects in Central New York.
The first project was a $6 million pavement improvement along I-90 in Seneca and Ontario Counties, covering both eastbound and westbound lanes between exit 42 (Geneva – Lyons – NY Route 14) and exit 44 (Canandaigua – Victor – NY Route 332). The work included full-depth repairs at multiple locations across a 20-mile segment, partial depth mill and inlay work, shoulder reconstruction, new reflective line striping, and milled-in audible roadway delineators on shoulders. Approximately 28,000 vehicles use this section daily. Seneca Stone Corporation completed this project.
A second project involved replacing Townline Road bridge over I-90 at milepost 280.31 in DeWitt and Salina towns. The $7.5 million project replaced a bridge originally built in 1953 with one offering increased vertical clearances—16 feet seven inches eastbound and 17 feet three inches westbound—to help prevent strikes by overheight vehicles. Safety upgrades included reconstructing approach pavements, adding guiderails, installing a snow fence, pedestrian sidewalk improvements, drainage enhancements, and rebuilding shoulders under the bridge. Tioga Construction Company managed this project.
The third project focused on rehabilitating Interchange 34A bridge (Syracuse – Chittenango – Oswego – I-481) at milepost 276.58 in Onondaga County for $3.9 million. Originally constructed in 1973 to carry about 10,000 vehicles per day over I-90 ramps, it now benefits from an extended service life estimated at up to three decades following deck repairs, substructure improvements, new waterproofing membranes and asphalt surfaces as well as updated joints and guiderails. Slate Hill Constructors completed these works.
The Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway is among America’s oldest interstate highways; its maintenance relies mainly on tolls paid by users rather than dedicated federal or state tax funding—about one-third being out-of-state drivers each year.
In addition to processing more than 400 million toll transactions during 2024—with motorists traveling approximately 8.2 billion miles—the Authority’s current five-year Capital Plan (2025–2029) allocates $2.7 billion for infrastructure upgrades including work on most pavement lane miles as well as major bridge replacements or rehabilitations.
The Thruway maintains low passenger vehicle toll rates compared with similar U.S roads—less than five cents per mile—and is considered one of America’s safest highways based on fatality rates.
Motorists are reminded that safety is paramount: they should remain alert when driving through work zones or near stopped vehicles along roadways; under New York’s expanded Move Over Law since March 2024 drivers must slow down or change lanes when approaching any stopped vehicle.
