FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE CONTACT: Carol Breen

Thursday, June 2, 2011 (518) 457-6400

NYSDOT ANNOUNCES CONSTRUCTION ON THE DUNN MEMORIAL BRIDGE

Two-Year Rehabilitation Project Begins; Lane Closures Established Soon

New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Joan McDonald today
announced that construction will begin on Monday, June 6, on an $11.6 million project to
rehabilitate the Dunn Memorial Bridge carrying State Routes 9 and 20 over the Hudson River
between Albany and Rensselaer counties.

“This essential rehabilitation project will make the Dunn Memorial Bridge safer for the nearly
36,000 motorists who rely on it each day,” Commissioner McDonald said. “Under the
leadership of Governor Andrew Cuomo, the State Department of Transportation is striving to
deliver high-quality transportation infrastructure improvement projects in a cost-effective
manner. This is the first of several important interstate road and bridge projects improving safety
and increasing traveler efficiency through the downtown Albany corridor.”

Commissioner McDonald was joined this morning by State Office of General Services
Commissioner RoAnn Destito and NYSDOT Regional Director Mary Ivey at a ground breaking
ceremony at the Corning Tower Observation Deck overlooking the bridge.

State Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn Destito said, “Governor Cuomo
recognizes the importance of improving the state’s transportation infrastructure. As one of the
Capital Region’s most travelled roadways, I am pleased that the Dunn Memorial Bridge is being
rehabilitated. Starting Monday, those who travel over the Dunn Memorial Bridge to visit or
work at the Empire State Plaza should allow for extra time during morning and evening
commutes, and during summer festivals such as the Price Chopper Fourth of July celebration.”

The bridge rehabilitation will include a new concrete deck, bearings and joints, and steel and
concrete repairs. The westbound ramp from Rensselaer to the bridge also will be rehabilitated.
Harrison and Burrowes Bridge Constructors of Glenmont, Albany County, is the construction
contractor on the project, which is expected to be completed by fall 2012.

Work will be done in stages, with various lane closures throughout construction. Traffic impacts
this summer are expected to be moderate, with most delays seen during the peak weekday
morning and evening commuting hours.

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There are four lanes of traffic in each direction on the bridge, which was opened in 1969. In the
first stage of the project, traffic travelling eastbound from the Empire State Plaza toward
Rensselaer will be merged from two lanes to one lane and will cross the bridge using a
westbound lane. Traffic accessing the bridge from Interstate 787 will be merged from two lanes
to one. Three westbound lanes will be open to traffic. This traffic configuration will be in place
through July.

NYSDOT has established a Web site, www.nysdot.gov/dunnbridge, that gives an overview of

the project, suggests alternate routes of travel and provides lane closures in effect. In addition,
live traffic camera views from the Albany and Rensselaer side are available on the Web site.

Commuters can directly access free, up-to-the-minute traffic information via DOT’s 511NY
traveler information system by calling 511 or visiting www.511NY.org. Motorists also can visit
http://nyalert.gov to sign up to receive NY-Alert e-mail or text messages about changing traffic
conditions. Through the duration of the project, electronic variable message signs will be posted
in central locations to alert motorists to current conditions.

NYSDOT has worked closely with the State Office of General Service (OGS) to inform
commuters to state buildings in downtown Albany and Rensselaer about anticipated traffic
impacts. Tenant information bulletins will be sent to all employees of OGS-managed buildings,
including the Capitol, Legislative Office Building, Corning Tower and agency buildings. E-mail
messages will be sent to those with parking passes for OGS lots.

NYSDOT staff worked with Department of Environmental Conservation biologists to find ways
to mitigate potential effects of construction activity to the peregrine falcon nesting season during
the spring and summer. NYSDOT has installed visual barriers around the area beneath the bridge
where work will occur during the nesting season. NYSDOT is in charge of installing and
maintaining nest boxes, and providing equipment and personnel needed to install and maintain
nest cameras and to access the nest box for banding. Cameras will not be operating during the
2011 and 2012 nesting seasons.

Rehabilitation of the Dunn Memorial Bridge is the first important step in a multi-year program of
improvements to Interstate 787 and nearby facilities accessing it. Within the next several years,
NYSDOT expects to rehabilitate I-787 at the Clinton Avenue viaduct and to reconstruct the
southern portion of I-787 from Thruway Exit 23 to the South Mall Expressway.

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