AASHTO Journal - NYSDOT Begins Transformative $62M Utica Street Project

The New York State Department of Transportation recently began work on a $62 million transformation project for North Genesee Street in the City of Utica in central New York; a city located by the Mohawk River at the foot of the Adirondack Mountains.

[Above photo by NYSDOT]

The agency said the centerpiece of this project will be the replacement of the 61-year-old bridges over the Mohawk River and Erie Canal and the installation of new 10-foot shared-use paths along both sides of North Genesee Street from Wurz Avenue to the interchange with the New York State Thruway.

Expected to wrap up by December 2028, the project should deliver a “new and improved corridor” that advances safety for pedestrians and cyclists accessing the Empire State Trail from downtown Utica, while enhancing safety and mobility for North Genessee Street users – making this corridor a more accessible and welcoming gateway into the city for both residents and visitors.

“In addition to the new bridges, key safety improvements along North Genesee Street will reduce crashes and improve traffic flow along this vital corridor, making it safer and more inviting for residents and visitors alike,” noted Governor Kathy Hochul (D) in a statement. “This development will revitalize the northern gateway into The Handshake City and provide a safe and smooth experience for everyone who uses this roadway.”

[Editor’s note: NYSDOT recently began another bridge replacement endeavor as well; a $24.5 million project to replace two bridges connecting I-84 & I-684 outside the Town of Southeast, Putnam County.]

“Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership and vision, New York has invested over $150 million in infrastructure projects in Utica over the last decade,” added Marie Therese Dominguez, NYSDOT commissioner.

“We know this project will create an amazing gateway into the city, one that is safer and flows smoother for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists and it will greatly enhance one of the most important corridors in the Mohawk Valley,” she said. “For motorists, it will better connect downtown Utica with the New York Thruway and for pedestrians and cyclists, it will provide a safer and more welcoming connection to and from downtown Utica with the world-renowned Empire State Trail.”

NYSDOT pointed out that this project will also install the region’s first pedestrian hybrid beacon, which is only activated by pedestrians when needed and has been proven to significantly reduce pedestrian crashes, making roadways safer for everyone.

Aesthetic improvements will also be made throughout the project, the agency noted, including landscaping and new lighting to enhance community appeal and safety.

Other work included in this project includes improved drainage, sign replacement, new curbs and sidewalks, plus roadway milling. NYSDOT noted that this project is partially funded by an $18.2 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity or RAISE grant to enable it to move forward.