ALBANY — The New York State Department of Transportation has awarded a $31.3 million contract through the NY Works program for repairs to 13 bridges, including two in the North Country.
The contract was awarded under the “design-build method,” and the overall project is estimated to create 430 jobs.
Design-build is a centerpiece of the NY Works program, providing a cost-effective way to move construction projects quickly by allowing design and construction teams to innovate and develop best methods to improve New York’s bridges and highways, according to a release from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office.
DOT awarded the $31.3 million contract to construction contractor Kubricky Construction Corp. of Wilton and design consultant VHB Engineering, Surveying & Landscaping Architecture of Albany.
PORT HENRY
The contract includes deck replacements on the Route 9N bridge over Grove Brook in Port Henry. Work on that project will begin soon and be completed this fall.
Traffic will be controlled by a temporary signal during construction.
WAVERLY
The contract also includes deck replacement on the Route 458 bridge over the St. Regis River in Waverly in Franklin County.
That is scheduled to occur next year.
DESIGN-BUILD
Design-build contractors submit proposals to design and build a bridge at the same time. This usually results in a design consultant teaming up with a construction contractor to jointly deliver the project.
Once proposals are submitted, DOT engineers determine the “best value” bid, which relies 60 percent on cost and 40 percent on a technical score. The technical score is determined based on past experience with the companies and schedule acceleration, among other factors.
“This expedited design-build process is particularly beneficial to the North Country because of our typically shorter construction season,” Sen. Betty Little (R-Queensbury) said in a release.
“Work is getting done, and progress is being made for the benefit of residents, local businesses and the hundreds of thousands of tourists, many towing boats and trailers, who count on safe routes to their beautiful destinations.”
Assemblywoman Janet Duprey (R-Peru) said she was “pleased to see the commitment of the state DOT to repair our bridges and provide for improved safety for our drivers. This project will help create jobs in our community and continue the NY Works program.”
Assemblywoman Teresa R. Sayward (R-Willsboro) noted that bridges are “a mainstay of our North Country transportation infrastructure.
“The NY Works program offers an opportunity for local companies to participate in these projects and continue the revitalization of the economy in the Adirondack region.”
