What to Expect This Year With Binghamton Road Construction

Construction season is 2 weeks away and that means changes and frustrations if you aren't prepared. NY DOT took me on a tour so you can be prepared.

We were escorted by DOT guru Dave Hamburg onto what is the future 17E bridge.We will be driving on it by mid summer and the old section will be taken down.

Before you get too excited, you need to know that phase #1 will be done by December 2015. But, things will go pretty quickly this construction season. The entire project, that includes upgrading Route 17 into I-86, will be done by late 2018.

The overpasses at Prospect Street and Moffat Street will be replaced this year (and the old torn down) and some work will be done at low traffic times for your convenience.

I guess the thing to convey most is patience and caution. Patience with the traffic patterns, as they will change, and caution in the construction zones to protect both you and the workers. As we were told today, the workers will be quite close to driving lanes at times so we need to be mindful of that.

If need be, you can certainly change the route you take for some errands. It may be that your new route is out of the way, but it's better than sitting in traffic and getting pissed off.

Now, this project isn't the only one on tap. Route 434 will be repaved from Binghamton to the Tioga County line. They expect to begin that in May and most of the work will be at night and during low traffic times, so there is no need to freak out over that!

Doug Mosher and I will keep you posted throughout the season as to new patterns, where the work is being done, and everything else you need to know.

On a personal note, it was cold on that bridge today. And I mean cold. I have lots of respect for those construction workers for being out there all day.