NYSDOT completes $4.5 million Route 17 bridge project in Broome County

SOUTHERN TIER, N.Y. (WBNG) — A $4.5 million project to strengthen four bridges along State Route 17 in the towns of Union and Vestal has been completed, according to the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT).

NYSDOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez announced the project’s completion Tuesday, Nov. 10.

Crews replaced aging approach slabs on the eastbound and westbound bridges over Vestal Road and the Susquehanna River. NYSDOT said the slabs create a transition between the roadway and bridge deck and help protect the structures from wear and the elements.

NYSDOT said the work will provide a smoother ride and could extend the service life of the bridges, which were built in 1969, by up to 20 years. About 42,000 vehicles travel the corridor each day.

“By fortifying these four bridges, we’ve extended the life of critical infrastructure in the Southern Tier while delivering a smoother, more reliable ride,” said NYSDOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez. “This is what investing in the Southern Tier’s infrastructure is all about—keeping people moving and connected to the places that matter most.”

Exit 68 eastbound and the Route 26 southbound on-ramp to Route 17 eastbound were previously closed to speed up construction. Both reopened in September 2026 ahead of the 2026-27 school year, NYSDOT said.

The department said the project was completed on schedule and within budget.

“Thousands of Upstate New Yorkers take Route 17 every day to get to work and school, visit friends and family, and stay connected across the Southern Tier,” said Congressman Josh Riley. “It’s great to see these bridge improvements be completed, making Route 17 safer, smoother, and stronger for years to come.”