A major highway upgrade in the Southern Tier is now complete. State officials say a $47 million rehabilitation project on a six-mile stretch of Interstate 86 in the Town of Owego has wrapped up after two years of construction.
The work included resurfacing the roadway—also known as the Southern Tier Expressway—and upgrading two bridges over Apalachin Creek. The New York State Department of Transportation says the improvements are designed to boost safety, extend the highway’s lifespan, and bring this section up to current interstate standards. The completed stretch runs from Exit 65 to the Broome County line.
State Senator Tom O’Mara said, “The ongoing maintenance, rehabilitation, and modernization of Interstate 86 remains vital to the strength and success of the Southern Tier region. It’s critical for the regional tourism and manufacturing industries that drive so many other economic opportunities for our local economies and communities, and it’s fundamentally important for motorist safety. These ongoing state commitments are smart investments that produce numerous benefits across the Southern Tier.”
The Southern Tier Expressway connects Jamestown, Corning, Elmira, and the Binghamton area, and portions of it were designated as part of Interstate 86 last year.
State transportation officials say more improvements are on the way. A three-year project beginning next year will rebuild nearly five miles of Interstate 86 through the Town and Village of Owego, including upgrades around Exits 64 and 65. Another project, now in design, would resurface about six miles of the highway in the Town of Nichols starting in 2027.
Lawmakers representing the region say continued maintenance and upgrades are critical for safety and for supporting travel, tourism, and industry across the Southern Tier.
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