Utica’s North Genesee bridge project remains on track for summer 2026 construction

Utica’s North Genesee Gateway Bridge project remains in development as NYSDOT moves toward a summer 2026 bid opening and construction start, while a June transportation-planning record places the latest estimated total cost at $83.324 million.

The Herkimer-Oneida Counties Transportation Council packet records a $20.357 million increase for the project. It says the higher estimate reflects inflation, utility work and increases in right-of-way, construction and construction-inspection costs.

The project will replace two Route 921C bridges carrying North Genesee Street over the Mohawk River, Harbor Lock Road and the Erie Canal. It also includes rehabilitation of North Genesee Street from Wurz Avenue to I-790, with planned improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists and people who need accessible transportation facilities.

For drivers, residents and businesses along the northern approach to Utica, utility work has already produced temporary lane restrictions. Additional work-zone changes are expected as the project moves into construction, although the exact timing and configuration of future restrictions will depend on NYSDOT advisories.

What the project includes

NYSDOT describes the North Genesee project as a gateway and multimodal connector project in the City of Utica. Its purpose is to replace aging bridge crossings, improve safety and address pedestrian and bicycle accommodation deficiencies along the corridor.

The planned work extends beyond the bridge structures. North Genesee Street is scheduled for rehabilitation from Wurz Avenue to I-790, with improvements intended to support safer travel, better accessibility and more reliable movement through a major northern entrance to the city.

NYSDOT’s project page lists the project as “In Development,” with a bid opening expected in summer 2026, construction expected to begin in summer 2026 and completion expected in fall 2028. The agency lists an approximate project cost of $55 million.

Why the cost figures differ

The June 18, 2026 HOCTC meeting packet lists PIN 2047.07, the North Genesee Street Gateway Bridge and Multi-Modal Connector Project, and says the total project cost was increased by $20.357 million to $83.324 million.

The packet attributes the increase to inflation and the utilities portion of the project, along with higher right-of-way, construction-inspection and construction costs. It also says the project was to be let in June and had been sent to Albany in March for packaging.

That $83.324 million figure is higher than the approximately $55 million figure still shown on NYSDOT’s project page. The two amounts should be identified as estimates from different project-cost baselines or updates, not treated as proof that either agency’s figure is incorrect.

Utility work has already affected traffic

In a June 18 travel advisory, NYSDOT announced lane reductions and shifts on North Genesee Street between Harbor Lock Road and the northbound I-90 Thruway exit ramp for June 20 through June 24, 2026.

During the scheduled work periods, traffic in both directions was to be reduced to one lane, with the northbound lane shifted onto the southbound side. NYSDOT said the restrictions were needed for Mohawk Valley Water Authority utility work. The nearby northbound I-90 ramp was also scheduled to close during work-zone hours, with a detour using North Genesee Street, Riverside Drive and North Genesee Street.

Those dates were a specific utility-work advisory, not a complete schedule for the larger bridge-replacement construction. Drivers should rely on later NYSDOT and 511NY notices for future closures, lane shifts, detours and work-zone timing.

Water-main relocations and easements

MVWA’s June 16, 2025 board minutes document the utility agency’s approval to assist with easement acquisitions related to the bridge replacement. The minutes say MVWA water mains cross the Erie Canal and the Mohawk River near the North Genesee Gateway bridges, and that NYSDOT contacted the authority about relocating them.

According to the minutes, NYSDOT agreed to pay the labor, materials, testing, construction and oversight costs associated with designing and building the relocations. MVWA’s expected expenses were tied to acquiring the necessary easements, including acquisition costs, filing fees and preparation of easement agreements. The minutes also say the relocated mains would replace pipes dating to 1915 and place the new mains in a more accessible location.

What residents should watch next

The project’s next major public milestones are the summer 2026 bid-opening and construction milestones listed by NYSDOT, followed by more detailed work-zone information as construction advances.

That means residents, commuters and nearby businesses should expect changing access conditions around North Genesee Street, Harbor Lock Road, the Erie Canal crossings and nearby I-90/I-790 connections. The project is not complete, and the final sequence of traffic controls should be confirmed through NYSDOT advisories rather than assumed from the temporary utility work already announced.

For Utica, the project represents a substantial planned investment in a principal northern gateway. The immediate issues are the cost update and utility preparation; the longer-term goal is to replace the bridges and improve how motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and people with mobility needs move through the corridor.

Sources

Discover more from Interactive News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.