$18.4M Pavement Project Starting On NYS Thruway in Rockland

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — An $18.4 million pavement improvement project on the New York State Thruway in Ramapo is starting this summer.

The work will cover more than 30 lane miles on a more than five-mile stretch between north of exit 14A (New Jersey - Garden State Parkway) to south of exit 15 (New Jersey – I-287 - NJ Route 17 South) in the town of Ramapo.

About 116,000 vehicles travel that section of I-87 each day, state transportation officials said.

It's part of a long range plan for I-87. Pavement repairs were finished in November on a nearby stretch of the Thruway. SEE: $44.6 Million Thruway Project Completed In Rockland, Orange Counties

“I’m honored to partner with Governor Kathy Hochul to improve Rockland County infrastructure. The $18.4 million allocated for road improvements in Rockland County will support a much-needed pavement improvement project on I-87. My fellow Rocklanders and I are grateful that our roads are being prioritized," State Senator Bill Webber said.

This project will begin with full-depth pavement repairs, meaning crews will remove and replace the most deteriorated portions on the roadway (from milepost 24.0 to 29.4), down to its subbase in both the northbound and southbound directions.

Crews will also address less stressed areas of the roadway by removing the existing asphalt overlay and installing a two-inch asphalt overlay for an improved riding experience, including on the ramps to and from exit 14B (Airmont - Montebello - Airmont Road).

Safety improvements will include new guide rail, bridge joint work, drainage improvements, reflective line striping and replacing lane delineators. Paving operations will take place overnight on weekdays to reduce impacts however, motorists may still encounter lane closures on the highway along with traffic shifts and stoppages while construction is underway.

JRCRUZ Corp. is the project contractor following a competitive bidding process and the work is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. All work is weather dependent and subject to change.

This project is one of several infrastructure projects totaling $377.4 million in the Hudson Valley scheduled for 2024-28.

“This project is a critical investment in one of the busiest corridors on the Thruway system, extensively traveled by both commuters and commercial vehicles," Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said. "We remain focused on using toll dollars to upgrade our aging infrastructure and modernize the state transportation system.”

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 toll adjustment enacted in January. 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.

“This is good news for not only our local residents but, for all that travel on the New York State Thruway," Assemblymember John McGowan said. "I urge all residents and travelers to be cognizant of the repairs and improvements as they progress through completion and to exercise caution and awareness for the crews on site."

To further enhance safety for workers in a work zone, Hochul signed legislation establishing the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement pilot program. The safety enforcement program began in April 2023 and is in effect in various active construction zones on the Thruway.

Work zones with speed camera enforcement will have clear signage leading up to the work zone. Motorists violating the posted speed limit within the work zone will be fined. Violation fines will be issued to the vehicle’s registered owner by mail.

Approximately 85 percent of the Thruway’s roadway base dates back to its original construction in the 1950s, highlighting the need for heavy maintenance, reconstruction, and rehabilitation activities to keep the riding surface in a state of good repair.

In 2023, motorists took more than 396.9 million trips and drove 8.1 billion miles on the Thruway, a user-fee supported roadway that receives no dedicated federal, state, or local tax dollars to cover the costs of operating and maintaining the superhighway. Motorists are urged to be alert and follow the posted work zone speed limits. Fines are doubled for speeding a work zone.

The Authority operates and maintains one of the safest, low-cost superhighways in the nation. The 570-mile Thruway system is funded by toll dollars, not state or local taxes.

For up-to-date travel information, motorists are encouraged to download the mobile app which is available to download for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides motorists direct access to real-time traffic and navigation assistance while on the go. Travelers can also visit the Thruway Authority's interactive Traveler Map which features live traffic cameras. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert e-mails, which provide the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway.