New Bridge Will Greatly Decrease
Congestion and Improve Safety

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the award of a
construction contract for a $32.5 million project to replace the
Rexford Bridge carrying State Route 146 over the Mohawk River
between Rexford in the town of Clifton Park, Saratoga County
and the town of Niskayuna, Schenectady County. Construction
may begin as soon as this fall.

“This bridge is important to the entire region’s transportation
network and the thousands upon thousands of motorists who use
it,” Governor Cuomo said. “These improvements will not only
ensure that the bridge remains viable for years to come, but will
also decrease congestion and ensure smooth passage for drivers,
bicyclists and pedestrians alike. This project is just another example
of our commitment to rebuilding New York’s infrastructure.”

The new Rexford Bridge will have four lanes – wider than the existing
two-lane bridge – to better accommodate traffic volumes. An additional
travel lane will be built in each direction from Riverview Road in
Rexford to Aqueduct Road in Niskayuna. Additionally, a multi-use
trail will be built on Route 146 and over the bridge to connect Riverview
Road with the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail on the Niskayuna
side of the Mohawk.

The project also includes building a roundabout to replace the traffic
signal at the intersection of Route 146, Williams Street and Aqueduct
Road in Niskayuna, as well as intersection improvements at Riverview
Road in Rexford.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Matthew
J. Driscoll said, “Governor Cuomo has made unprecedented investments
in New York State’sinfrastructure, and the new Rexford Bridge will
contribute to this legacy of development and smart stewardship.
Replacing the Rexford Bridge will enhance mobility and support the
continuing growth of Schenectady County and southern
Saratoga County communities.”

While major construction is expected to begin in spring 2016, tree
clearing could begin this fall. The contract team for the project will
immediately begin working on securing necessary permits and
finalizing the bridge design. The project is expected to be completed
by the end of 2017.

State Senator Hugh Farley said, “The Rexford Bridge is a key part
of one of the major transportation arteries in Schenectady and Saratoga
Counties. The safety, quality of life and economic development benefits
of the new bridge will be tremendous. I am particularly happy that the
Department of Transportation took a great deal of input from local
residents into consideration before the bridge replacement and
improvement plans were finalized.”

Assemblyman Phil Steck said, “A substantial traffic increase over
the present Rexford Bridge has led to the demand for a new structure
that will better adapt to a new traffic pattern. The Department of
Transportation and Tioga Construction anticipate completion of this
significant project within two years. Investment in our infrastructure
is a critical component of economic development here in Upstate
New York. We must continue to make improvements such as these
that help grow our local economy.”

Assemblyman Jim Tedisco said, “The new Rexford Bridge is a
project that many people have been hoping to see happen for a
long time. The Rexford Bridge is a critical gateway to the 112th
Assembly District for travelers and workers who commute between
Schenectady and Saratoga Counties every day and the small
businesses that rely on it for commerce. Once completed, this
new bridge will help ease traffic congestion and make that commute
just a little easier for the thousands of people who cross the Mohawk
River on a daily basis. Thanks to Governor Cuomo and the New York
State Department of Transportation for moving this important
infrastructure project forward.”

Niskayuna Town Supervisor Joe Landry said, “We look forward to
the improvements that will be realized with the construction of a new
Rexford bridge. We applaud the Department of Transportation and the
Governor’s Office on expediting this project, and we believe that the
design-build method of construction should result in further savings to
the taxpayers.”

The existing two-lane Rexford Bridge would remain open during
construction, with the new bridge to be built directly to the west. Once
the new structure opens to traffic, the old bridge would be demolished.

The Rexford Bridge was opened in 1965 and carries approximately
22,000 motor vehicles per day.

Tioga Construction Co., Inc. of Utica, Oneida County with AECOM
USA, Inc. of New York City were designated by the New York State
Department of Transportation as the best-value contractor for this
design-build project. Prospective contractors were judged based on
cost and the quality of their proposals, including their ability to deliver
a high-quality project on or ahead of schedule as a design-builder.

Design-build allows for the combining of design and construction
services into single contracts to help expedite work to vital infrastructure
to save taxpayer money. Design-build contractors submit in their
proposals how they intend to design and construct the bridge, including
their scheduled completion date, their impact on traffic, their method of
ensuring quality and quality control and how their design-build
organization will function in delivering this project. This usually results
in a design consultant teaming up with a construction contractor to
jointly deliver the project.

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