New York state has been working to reshape the New York State Thruway by knocking down aging rest stop plazas and rebuilding them. But a new report contradicts initial news that taxpayers would not have to pay for the projects.
You’ve likely noticed the construction projects while passing by in vehicles. Many of the rest stops along the State Thruway are undergoing an overhaul.
“It’s an important project for the people of New York,” Associated General Contractors of New York State President & CEO Mike Elmendorf said. “It’s an important project for the Thruway Authority.”
But the restoration of the 23 rest stops appears to have hit a snag. It’s costing more than initially thought.
“It started with COVID and the very significant disruptions that, that created,” Elmendorf said. “And then there is the war in Ukraine, which perhaps is a surprise to some, has also had a significant impact.”
LeChase Construction, a Rochester-based company, is handling much of the work, but is a minority partner with AECOM Tishman, an international corporation. Their joint venture is called ESC Partners, and is raising those concerns.
“The cost of virtually every material used in construction, whether you’re building a bridge, building a road, has gone up exponentially in a way that has not been seen before,” Elmendorf explained.
It’s unclear just how much money is needed to fill the gaps, but The Buffalo News reported last week it was $260 million. Aside from providing some background information, LeChase declined to comment on the matter, but referred it to Elmendorf.
“My understanding is the number that’s been out there, there are some news reports, it’s like $260 million, is not right,” Elmendorf said.
He believes the number is less than $260 million, but doesn’t know the specifics.
A spokesperson for the Hochul administration told Spectrum News 1 the governor’s office and the Thruway Authority have been working closely with Applegreen, which has secured a lease agreement to own and operate these new facilities in return for footing the bill of construction costs.
Elmendorf is confident the job will be completed, and said this is not a unique situation.
“It’s not a here problem. It’s not a thruway service area problem,” he said. “It’s an industry problem.”