New York's State Route 42 Reopens

Service Restored After All Roads and Bridges Were Closed by Flood Damage

State Route 42 in Greene County has reopened to traffic. With the project's completion, all roads and bridges that were closed as a result of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee have now been reopened.

Six miles and two bridges of the roadway had been closed as a result of the severe damage caused by Hurricane Irene. 

The project was completed ahead of schedule and an estimated 10 percent under budget as a result of using the design-build method that Governor Cuomo implemented to expedite repair work following the storms.

"I am pleased to announce that with the reopening of Route 42 all roads and bridges that were closed by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee are now once again open to traffic," Governor Cuomo said. 

"I thank the men and women who worked so hard to repair the damage caused by these devastating storms."

New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Joan McDonald said, "Department crews worked tirelessly to reopen roads and bridges blocked, damaged or destroyed by the floodwaters.

Route 42, which suffered the most extensive damage, was a top priority. To expedite the project we used the innovative design-build method so the road could be reopened as soon as possible for the residents of Greene and Ulster counties."

Following the late summer storms in 2011, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 19 to aid in the emergency response and expedite rebuilding efforts. The order authorized NYSDOT to use the design-build process, which allowed for the combining of design and construction services into single contracts and helped expedite repair work to vital infrastructure damaged by the storms. The Route 42 project would have taken an extra six months to complete under standard construction methods.

Final paving of the road, which requires warm temperatures, will be completed in the spring. 

As a result of the Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee events, more than 400 road segments and bridges were closed on the state highway system. When Hurricane Irene hit on August 28, nearly 200 roads and bridges on the state system were closed. Ten days after the event NYSDOT re-opened all but 13 bridges and 19 road segments.

Tropical Storm Lee closed 37 bridges and 181 road segments on the state system. Nine days after event, NYSDOT re-opened all but 8 bridges and 15 road segments. Route 42 is the last road segment to reopen after the storm.

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Author: TwinsMetsFan
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