A $47 million road rehabilitation project on Interstate 86 in Tioga County has been completed, Governor Kathy Hochul announced. The two-year initiative improved a six-mile section of the highway in the Town of Owego, including resurfacing and bridge upgrades aimed at enhancing safety and mobility for travelers in the Southern Tier region.
Governor Hochul highlighted the significance of the project, stating, “Smart infrastructure investments like the crucial highway reconstruction of the Southern Tier Expressway will help keep New Yorkers moving. Interstate 86 is a critical highway bringing people to Lockheed Martin, Tioga Downs, and Binghamton University and countless other regional destinations, so it is crucial to rehabilitate this section so motorists can experience everything the Southern Tier has to offer.”
The Southern Tier Expressway connects cities such as Jamestown, Corning, and Elmira with Greater Binghamton. In 2024, a 32-mile segment in Broome and Tioga Counties was designated as part of Interstate 86. The recent improvements have brought this portion up to current interstate standards.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez commented on ongoing efforts: “Major things are happening in the Southern Tier and across the state under Governor Hochul’s leadership as New York State continues to rebuild its infrastructure to connect communities, improve resiliency, and keep people and commerce flowing from region to region. Interstate 86 is a major gateway for tourism and commerce across the Southern Tier, and these projects along Interstate 86 will improve mobility for residents and visitors alike, and help fuel continued growth and prosperity throughout the region.”
Work included reconstructing road surfaces between Exit 65 in Owego and the Broome County line using warm asphalt mix. Two bridges over Apalachin Creek received new decks, barriers, bearings, and updated guide rails.
Further investments are planned. Next year will see rehabilitation work begin on an adjacent section covering 4.7 miles within Owego; that project will last three years. Another resurfacing project between Exits 61 and 62 in Nichols is scheduled for 2027.
State Senator Tom O’Mara said, “The ongoing maintenance, rehabilitation, and modernization of Interstate 86 remains vital to the strength and success of the Southern Tier region. It’s critical for the regional tourism and manufacturing industries that drive so many other economic opportunities for our local economies and communities, and it’s fundamentally important for motorist safety. These ongoing state commitments are smart investments that produce numerous benefits across the Southern Tier.”
Assemblymember Christopher S. Friend added: “The completion of this $47 million rehabilitation of Interstate 86 represents an important investment in the long-term safety and reliability of Tioga County’s transportation network. I commend the Department of Transportation and all project partners for delivering significant infrastructure improvements that will support mobility and public safety for years to come. Interstate 86 is a backbone of economic activity in our region, and this $47 million upgrade strengthens our ability to attract business, support local employers, and keep goods and workers moving efficiently. Modern, resilient infrastructure is essential to growing the Southern Tier economy, and this project is a major step forward.”
The New York State Department of Transportation says its mission includes providing safe transportation systems that connect communities while supporting quality of life statewide.
For more travel information about highways in New York State or updates on construction projects like those on I-86 travelers can use resources such as www.511NY.org or download their mobile app.