New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday the state would invest $8.3 million to replace the Beaver Island Parkway Bridge over the Niagara Thruway (I-190) in Erie County.
The project will include upgrading safety features, improving the road’s surface, and widening travel lanes, Hochul said. The work is scheduled to begin this week.
“Grand Island is an integral international gateway for tourism and commercial traffic into New York State, welcoming millions of people from Canada each year,” Gov. Hochul said. “By replacing this nearly 70-year-old bridge, the Thruway Authority continues to modernize the state’s transportation infrastructure, creating an improved travel experience and easier commutes for New Yorkers.”
Hochul’s office said the Beaver Island Parkway Bridge carries an estimated 13,000 vehicles per day over I-190. Since 2018, the Thruway Authority has reinvested more than $173.1 million in Capital Infrastructure projects, Hochul’s office said, including nearly $81 million to replace or rehabilitate 69 bridges in its Buffalo Division.
“The Beaver Island Parkway Bridge, like many other bridges on our roadway, is original to the Thruway system and is in need of replacement,” Thruway Authority Interim Executive Director Frank Hoare said. “Motorists are seeing their toll dollars at work with infrastructure projects such as this one, reinvesting toll revenue back into the maintenance and long-term viability of our system. Addressing aging infrastructure is a top priority, and motorists will enjoy an improved travel experience on the new bridge once the project is complete.”
The bridge will close to all traffic starting on April 3 for the duration of the project. Completion is expected by the end of 2023, but officials said the work is highly weather-dependent, and dates are subject to change. Officials said traffic will be re-routed through a 3.8-mile detour, and signs will be posted to alert motorists.