Project Will Improve Travel Along 13-Mile Stretch of Vital Finger Lakes Connector

New Tree Plantings, Landscaping to Create Natural Snow Barriers and Provide Habitats for Pollinators

Investment Complements “Finger Lakes Forward” – the Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that construction is beginning on a $26.7 million project to rehabilitate a 13-mile stretch of Interstate 390, between Exit 8 in the Town of Geneseo and Exit 10 in the Town of Avon, both in Livingston County. The project will improve travel conditions and enhance safety along a vital artery in the Finger Lakes Region. Additionally, new landscaping and tree plantings will be used in selected areas to create natural snow barriers and help safeguard the environment.

“New York State continues to make historic investments in infrastructure that will improve travel, protect our environment and fuel economic growth for all our communities,” Governor Hochul said. “This project will help ensure that a vital access route for motorists in the Finger Lakes Region is ready to meet the challenges of the 21st Century, and keep goods and people on the move throughout this picturesque area for many years to come.”

Interstate 390, which runs from the Lake Ontario State Parkway in the north to Interstate 86 in the south, facilitates travel for residents and visitors alike from across New York State and into Pennsylvania. In addition to providing a new roadway with a service life of 15 years, this project will also further NYSDOT’s environmental stewardship goals by:

    Planting roughly 1,200 willow trees at key locations along the highway that will grow into a natural snow fence in an effort to reduce the impact of blowing snow on the roadway.
    Re-landscaping six acres of land along this part of the highway to promote Milkweed growth and bolster populations of pollinating insects.
    Rehabilitating small culverts within the project limits to facilitate storm water drainage along the roadway.

This project also builds upon New York State’s recent projects along I-390 including the $172 million transformational investment into the I-390/I-490 interchange completed in 2021, the ongoing $18 million highway and bridge rehabilitation project, and $35 million project to rehabilitate I-390 between Exits 10 and 12 in Monroe and Livingston Counties.

State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Governor Kathy Hochul knows just how important Upstate New York’s infrastructure is to the success of our regional economies and to New York State as a whole. That is why NYSDOT is continuing to make critical investments along I-390 to ensure the success of the thousands of New Yorkers who live, work and utilize this roadway each day. NYSDOT is looking forward to delivering this project - which importantly, looks to enhance resiliency and sustainability of the environment and our infrastructure in the Finger Lakes Region for decades to come."

State Senator Pamela Helming said, “Ensuring our roads and bridges are safe for all our travelers is essential, especially considering our weather challenges in this part of the state. The commitment from the Governor and NYSDOT to improve this important stretch of highway is appreciated."

Assemblymember Marjorie Byrnes said, “My constituents, as well as visitors to the area, are traveling Interstate 390 every day. I am pleased to see this project get underway as it will increase safety for those on the road as well as protection for our environment.”

Work on the project will progress over two construction seasons, with NYSDOT anticipating work to be completed this year on the northbound lanes and the southbound lanes next year. To deliver this investment, long-term lane closures will be necessary, and traffic will be reduced to a single lane within the work zone. These lane closures are anticipated to be in place by the end of April and removed later this summer. Additional short term lane closures may be necessary for crews to complete their work.

All construction activities are weather dependent. For real-time travel information, motorists should call 511, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY app. Follow the New York State Department of Transportation on Twitter at @NYSDOT and @NYSDOTRochester. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/NYSDOT.

Accelerating Finger Lakes Forward

Today’s announcement complements “Finger Lakes Forward,” the region’s comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture‎ and food production, and advanced manufacturing.