Photo by Greg Fox

The New York State Thruway Authority today announced an agreement with the Seneca Nation of Indians to begin work to the approximately three-mile stretch of the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90 eastbound and westbound) that runs through the Cattaraugus Territory.

Work on this critical infrastructure project between exit 57A (Eden – Angola) and exit 58 (Silver Creek) will begin tomorrow and will be completed in phases to properly rebuild the roadway.

“After a long five years, we are very pleased that the Nation finally agrees that this work must be completed as soon as possible. I’d like to thank Governor Cuomo for ensuring safety for all of New York’s drivers by bringing this issue to the forefront and exposing unnecessary delays to repair,” Thruway Authority Executive Director Matthew J. Driscoll said. “As promised, we have crews at the ready who will begin work tomorrow to focus on stabilizing and sustaining the roadway for all motorists as we head into the winter months.”

Urgent repairs as part of this pavement rehabilitation project are scheduled to begin tomorrow, Sept. 26. Crews will perform partial-depth repairs to the most severely deteriorated sections of the roadway and to the shoulders to help extend its durability in preparation for the winter months ahead. New line striping will also be applied to enhance visibility.

Following this first round of essential repair work, a full reconstruction project will commence and improve the riding surface and safety for all motorists. Crews will perform a full depth replacement to the eastbound and westbound sections between mileposts 452.3 and 455.1. This part of the project will include the removal of approximately five inches of the current roadway surface, repairs to the underlying concrete pavement and complete asphalt replacement. In addition to the improved driving surface, the project will include numerous safety upgrades such as guiderail replacement, slope re-alignment (or regrade existing ditch lines) and new line striping.

The project is expected to be completed within eight to 10 weeks barring any unforeseen conditions or circumstances, and weather permitting. If the weather makes full completion not possible before winter, it will be resumed and completed as soon as the weather allows in the spring.

Lane closures and minimal delays are anticipated through the duration of the project. Motorists can find scheduled lane closures before traveling on the Thruway’s website and by using its free mobile app.