Construction finally begins on Thruway in Seneca Nation

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Photo credit WBEN Photo/Brendan Keany

SILVER CREEK, N.Y. (WBEN) - Construction work has begun on the four-mile stretch of I-90 in Seneca Nation that has been neglected for years. 

The stretch of roadway near Silver Creek has been neglected for almost two decades by the state thanks in part to the ongoing issues between Seneca Nation and New York State, such as the state collection of revenues from Seneca-run casinos. The two sides agreed in September to fix the roadway.

The 14-mile stretch of the 90 in Seneca Nation territory is finally getting its upgrades. Construction starts today and will last until July. pic.twitter.com/zP2ORLB4uc

— Mike Baggerman (@MikeBaggerman) March 10, 2020

"This is actually the first major construction project since I think 2003 and the first full-rebuild since way back in 1987," Thruway Authority Executive Director Matt Driscoll said Tuesday. "The magnitude of this project as we all know is far overdue."

Last fall, temporary repairs were made to the roadway on its most dangerous spots. The new phase of the project will remove five inches of the existing asphalt surface and repair the original concrete. New asphalt will then be placed on top of the concrete.

The $20.8 million project is expected to be completed by the end of July. Driscoll said a construction crew will work around the clock six days a week.

Once the construction is complete, the speed limit will return to 65 miles per hour.

New York State is paying for the entire construction project. Driscoll suggested the cost of repairing the roadway may have been less if the state had access to the road earlier.