The State of New York recently started work on a group of key transportation infrastructure projects across three counties in the Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier, and Western New York regions.
[Above photo by NYSDOT]
Those initiatives – which represent a total investment of $63.5 million – include two major projects along I-86 in the Southern Tier and Western New York, as well as a safety project in the Village of Cooperstown in Otsego County.
“Each mile of infrastructure we invest in carries people to work, products to market and keeps the Empire State’s economy moving,” noted Governor Kathy Hochul (D) in a statement.
“I-86 is more than a highway; it is a lifeline for the Southern Tier and Western New York,” she said.
“Every day, families, workers and businesses depend on this corridor to get where they need to go safely and reliably,” the governor added. “Likewise, the Village of Cooperstown, known for its quaint downtown area and emblematic beauty, is one of a handful of upstate attractions that feels like it belongs to everyone, and this project will help create a true gateway for this gem in Upstate New York.”
[Editor’s note: A recent NYSDOT podcast episode reviewed the “Queen City Forward” project, now in the advanced planning stages, that aims to “rethink the future of transportation” in Western NY.]
“These three projects will … lay a solid foundation for future economic growth,” added Marie Therese Dominguez, commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation.
“We’re making smart investments that will strengthen our infrastructure for the long haul, enhancing safety, increasing resiliency against future flooding and keeping commerce moving across three regions,” she said.
The three projects are:
- Tioga County, Southern Tier:Construction has started on a $53 million, three-year project in the Town and Village of Owego in Tioga County that will reconstruct nearly 20 lane miles of I-86 as part of a broader initiative to modernize infrastructure and enhance resiliency along this major highway corridor. The work will take place over three construction seasons, NYSDOT noted.
- Cattaraugus County, Western New York: Work has begun on a $5.6 million repaving project to help rejuvenate a 25-mile section of I-86, which lies within the Seneca Nation of Indians Allegany Territory. The improved roadway serves as a vital corridor for travelers heading to Allegany State Park, the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino and St. Bonaventure University, as well as locals and commercial traffic. That work is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, the agency noted.
- Otsego County, Mohawk Valley: Work has commenced on the $5.5 million Cooperstown Gateway Project, which will enhance pedestrian safety and walkability in the Village of Cooperstown, the iconic “birthplace of baseball.” The project will install a new sidewalk and pedestrian lighting along the eastern edge of State Route 28 between Linden Avenue and Walnut Street, creating a safer, more connected corridor. Additional enhancements along the corridor include drainage upgrades and the installation of defined driveway entrances for local businesses to improve traffic flow in and out of the Village. Completion is expected in 2027, NYSDOT said.
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