$62M North Genesee Street Project Begins in Utica

New bridges, safer crossings, bike and pedestrian paths will reshape one of Utica’s busiest gateways.

A $62 million North Genesee Street Utica project is officially underway, bringing one of the largest transportation upgrades in recent years to the northern gateway into the city. The work will replace two aging bridges, create new pedestrian and bicycle connections, improve intersections and traffic signals, and make it easier to travel between downtown Utica, the New York State Thruway and the Empire State Trail.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the start of the project Thursday, Aug. 13, saying the improvements are designed to strengthen both safety and mobility while supporting continued economic development in Utica and the Mohawk Valley.

What Is Included in the $62 Million Utica Project?

The centerpiece will be replacement of the two 61-year-old North Genesee Street bridges that cross the Mohawk River and Erie Canal. The new structures are being designed to reduce long-term maintenance needs while providing safer space for more than automobiles.

The project includes:

• Replacement of the bridges over the Mohawk River and Erie Canal
• New 10-foot-wide shared-use paths on both sides of North Genesee Street
• New and upgraded traffic signals
• Additional left-turn lanes at key intersections
• New crosswalks
• Pedestrian countdown timers
• Utica-area’s first pedestrian hybrid beacon
• New sidewalks and curbs
• Improved drainage
• New roadway lighting
• Landscaping
• Replacement signs
• Road milling and paving
• Improvements to entrances and exits serving businesses along the corridor

Those improvements will stretch along North Genesee Street from Wurz Avenue to the New York State Thruway interchange.

A New Connection Between Downtown Utica and the Empire State Trail

One of the most significant changes may be the expansion of walking and bicycling access.

Ten-foot shared-use paths will be installed along both sides of North Genesee Street between Wurz Avenue and the Thruway interchange.

Those paths will connect with a shared path built by the New York State Department of Transportation from Wurz Avenue toward downtown Utica in 2021. Once the new construction is finished, pedestrians and cyclists will have a more continuous connection between downtown and the Empire State Trail.

For a corridor traditionally dominated by vehicle traffic, that represents a major shift toward designing transportation around people traveling in several different ways.

Safety Improvements Target Pedestrians and Drivers

State transportation officials say improving safety is one of the project’s primary goals.

New left-turn lanes are planned at key intersections to reduce conflicts and help traffic move more efficiently. New traffic signals, marked crosswalks and pedestrian countdown timers will also be installed.

Perhaps the most noteworthy addition will be the region’s first pedestrian hybrid beacon.

What Is a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon?

A pedestrian hybrid beacon is a traffic-control device activated when a pedestrian needs to cross a roadway. It directs motorists to stop so the person can cross more safely.

The Federal Highway Administration considers pedestrian hybrid beacons a proven safety measure. Federal research associates them with approximately a 55% reduction in pedestrian crashes, along with reductions in total crashes and serious or fatal crashes.

That could be particularly important on North Genesee Street, a wide, heavily traveled route connecting the Thruway, businesses and downtown Utica.

North Genesee Street Has Long Been a Major Utica Gateway

North Genesee Street carries motorists from Exit 31 of the New York State Thruway toward downtown Utica and serves hotels, restaurants and other businesses.

The state is describing the reconstruction as an improvement to Utica’s northern gateway.

Hochul said the project is intended to provide Utica with a safer and more modern transportation system while supporting the Mohawk Valley’s economic growth.

“This investment reflects our commitment to providing the City of Utica with a safe and modern transportation network that supports the continued economic revival of the Mohawk Valley,” Hochul said.

The project did not emerge overnight.

In October 2024, NYSDOT held a public information meeting at the North Utica Community Center concerning what it then described as a proposed Gateway Bridge and Multi-Modal Connector Project on North Genesee Street.

Federal Funding Helps Pay for the Work

The $62 million project is being supported in part by $18.2 million from the federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity, or RAISE, grant program.

The funding was awarded through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said he personally advocated for the federal investment several years ago.

“North Genesee Street is a vital gateway to downtown Utica,” Schumer said, adding that the federal funding is intended to support safer bridges, transportation options and economic growth.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand also called the project a win for Utica and the Mohawk Valley, pointing to its potential to improve safety, mobility and traffic flow.

Rep. John Mannion said replacing the aging bridges and connecting the corridor to the Empire State Trail would strengthen infrastructure and improve quality of life for residents and visitors.

More Than $150 Million Invested in Utica Transportation

According to NYSDOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez, New York State has invested more than $150 million in Utica transportation infrastructure during the past decade.

Previous projects have included:

• The Utica Arterial reconstruction
• State Route 5S safety and revitalization work
• Improvements in Bagg’s Square and Harbor Point
• Pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure connecting downtown neighborhoods

The North Genesee Street reconstruction builds on that broader effort to change how residents and visitors move through the city.

What Drivers Should Expect During Construction

A project this large will inevitably affect traffic.

However, NYSDOT says the work will be completed in stages and traffic will continue to move through the corridor. The state does not currently plan an official project-wide detour.

Access for pedestrians and cyclists traveling toward the Empire State Trail is also expected to remain available during construction.

Individual lane reductions or temporary traffic-pattern changes could still occur as construction advances, so motorists should pay attention to signs and state travel advisories.

The state expects the entire project to be completed by December 2028.

Businesses Could See Both Disruption and Long-Term Benefits

Construction projects of this scale can create challenges for nearby businesses. Temporary lane changes, construction equipment and shifting access points may make navigation more difficult at certain stages.

State officials say maintaining access to businesses is part of the construction plan.

The project will also redesign some business entrances and exits to meet current traffic-safety standards.

Long term, supporters believe improved traffic flow, pedestrian access and a more attractive entrance into the city could benefit businesses along the corridor.

State Sen. Joseph Griffo said the improvements could increase access to downtown businesses and attractions while supporting tourism and economic opportunities.

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. said the project is about more than replacing old infrastructure.

He described North Genesee Street as an important connection among downtown Utica, surrounding neighborhoods and the Empire State Trail.

What This Means for Utica

For decades, North Genesee Street has served largely as a road motorists travel through on their way between the Thruway and downtown.

This project could change that identity.

Replacing deteriorating bridges is essential infrastructure work. But adding pedestrian paths, bicycle connections, modern crossings, landscaping and safer business access turns the project into something broader: a redesign of one of the city’s most visible entrances.

The real test will come during construction and after the work is finished.

Residents should watch whether traffic remains manageable, businesses retain reasonable access, pedestrians see meaningful safety improvements and the promised completion schedule remains on track.

For now, the $62 million investment represents another major step in the continuing redevelopment of Utica’s transportation network.

Residents and motorists can follow NYSDOT and 511NY for construction-related traffic advisories as the North Genesee Street project progresses toward its anticipated December 2028 completion.