The New York State Thruway Authority modernized its transportation system by converting to cashless tolling, which reduces congestion, improves traffic flow, is better for the environment, and allows for non-stop travel on New York’s toll roads, bridges and tunnels.
The $355 million project includes open road tolling sites and mainline gantry sites across 450 miles of the thruway. Services provided by WSP included design-build procurement/request for proposal development, analysis of mainline versus interchange-based tolling scheme and impacts on revenue collections, preliminary design, microsimulation traffic modeling, preparation of design approval/environmental documents, and design and construction quality assurance (QA).
As the construction quality assurance engineer, WSP provided field engineering, QA personnel, and material testing services. Major work items included drilled shaft foundations; new precast concrete approach slabs and treadles in toll areas; new gantries for mounting of cashless tolling equipment; new communication buildings at each toll collection site; roadway and alignment improvements in areas of toll collection; full-depth roadway improvements; installation of concrete barrier; new highway signage for the toll collection system; utility connections for power and communications; and upgrades including new dynamic message signs and new tandem trailer lot improvements.
