Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the completion of a $45 million pavement improvement and safety enhancement project on the New York State Thruway (I-90) in Chautauqua County. The work, which began in 2024, covered both eastbound and westbound lanes between exit 59 (Dunkirk-Fredonia-NY Route 60) and exit 60 (Westfield-Mayville-NY Route 394).
“New York is committed to rebuilding aging transportation infrastructure and improving commutes in every corner of the state,” Governor Hochul said. “By modernizing the Thruway system through significant repaving investments, we can ensure a safe and reliable roadway for all travelers.”
The project involved repairs from milepost 467.0 to 485.5 westbound and from milepost 483.0 to 467.0 eastbound, totaling about 69 lane miles. Work included full and partial depth repairs, a new asphalt riding surface, resurfacing of interchange ramps at exits 59 and 60, as well as all U-turns.
New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare commented on the importance of the improvements: “This project made critical safety improvements to a stretch of the Thruway that is traveled by nearly eight million vehicles each year. We are committed to reinvesting toll dollars into improving and modernizing the infrastructure of our 570-mile highway system.”
The project also addressed vertical clearance on 16 bridges to reduce future bridge strikes, added new pavement striping known as “Recess Triple Drop,” installed guiderails, pier protection, and delineator markers. Oakgrove Construction, Inc., based in Elmira, NY, served as contractor for the work, which was completed within its planned schedule and budget.
Motorists are encouraged to use the free mobile app available for iPhone and Android devices for real-time traffic updates and navigation assistance while traveling on the Thruway. Additional information is accessible via the Thruway Authority’s interactive Traveler Map with live traffic cameras or by signing up for TRANSalert e-mails.
The Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway is one of the oldest parts of the National Interstate Highway System and among the longest toll roads in the United States. Its maintenance relies primarily on toll revenue rather than federal or state tax funding.
In 2024, over 400 million toll transactions were processed on the Thruway with motorists driving a total of 8.2 billion miles. The Authority’s current capital plan allocates $2.7 billion toward infrastructure upgrades between 2025-2029—an increase of $742 million since a multi-year toll adjustment plan was approved in 2023—which will result in work on roughly two-thirds of pavement lane miles and replacement or rehabilitation of one-fifth of its bridges.
Safety remains a priority for both workers and drivers using this roadway system; New York’s Move Over Law was expanded in March 2024 to require drivers to slow down and move over for any vehicle stopped along roadways.
More details are available through social media channels or by visiting the official Thruway website.
