Work consisted of expanding the existing three-lane highway to a four-lane highway which included a high occupancy vehicle lane. The separating grass median was removed, the existing adjacent storm drainage system was abandoned and removed, and a new central storm drainage system was installed.

Composite girder bridges had to be replaced or rehabilitated to accommodate the roadway change. In addition, new concrete bridges were built and miles of precast concrete sound walls were installed. Most of the work was performed during evening hours.

In Long Island, NY a trend is taking place. Not unique to New York State it’s a trend that is taking place in a number of states across the country…the influx of city dwellers into suburban areas. The result of this trend is the gridlock of highways in these growing regions.

In an effort to accommodate this increasing flow of traffic on Long Island’s I-495 the New York State Department of Transportation (NYS-DOT) awarded two contracts known as Long Island Expressway Capacity Improvements. Worth approximately $200 million combined, the contracts encompass work to 10 of I-495’s bridges ranging from 96 to 265 feet in length. Eight of the bridges are being removed and re-built, and two are being widened by 17 feet. The five bridges under the TV5 contract are all steel girder, while only two bridges were steel girder and the other three were precast box beams under TV6.

The contract was to the tri-venture of Peter Scalamandre & Sons of Freeport, NY, J.D. Posillico Construction Co. of Farmingdale, NY, Hendricson Bros. of Farmingdale, NY. Scalamandre handles all concrete work while Posillico handles asphalt.