Michels Construction Lands $35M Contract
For Improvements to Mid-Hudson Bridge
HIGHLAND, NY—The New York State Bridge Authority announced last week that work on the east end of the Mid-Hudson Bridge will start in the fall of this year and extend through the summer of 2027.
The $34.4-million construction contract was awarded to Michels Construction, Inc. of Brownsville, WI during the NYSBA Board of Commissioners meeting on July 17, following a competitive bidding process. Michels has regional operations in White Plains.
“This project is a strong example of how the New York State Bridge Authority reinvests toll dollars to maintain our infrastructure in exceptional condition,” said New York State Bridge Authority Executive Director Dr. Minosca Alcantara. “The rehabilitation of the east approach complements the paving work completed on the bridge and the west approach in 2023. As we approach the Mid-Hudson Bridge’s 100th anniversary in 2030, we take pride in the ongoing care and investment that ensure this vital connection remains safe, dependable and well-maintained for the thousands of people who rely on it every day.”
The work will include filling viaduct sections with lightweight concrete to enhance structural support, installing new precast deck systems on five approach spans to provide a smoother driving surface, utilizing a Class “A” containment system for lead abatement, as well as repainting the arch bridge over Metro-North Railroad tracks to preserve the structural steel.
The project area is located on the east side of the bridge, between the middle of the Route 9 on/off ramps and the former “toll house” on the Poughkeepsie side. This section of the approach consists of five mini-spans crossing over local roadways and railroad tracks, as well as viaducts and anchorages that support the suspension cables.
The bridge’s current two-lane configuration—including the reversible two/one lane configuration during morning and evening rush hour—will remain in effect throughout the duration of the project. Any surface-level work will be conducted during off-peak hours, with at least one lane open in each direction. Alternating lanes and nighttime detours may be used at certain times, but the Authority remains committed to mitigating major traffic disruptions.
Motorists should expect minimal disruptions to traffic, especially during peak travel times. Most of the work scheduled for 2025 will take place beneath the bridge deck, with no changes to existing traffic patterns, Bridge Authority officials stated. Opened on Aug. 25, 1930, the “Franklin D. Roosevelt” Mid-Hudson Bridge is the second-oldest of the Authority’s vehicular spans and continues to serve as a vital connection for the Hudson Valley region.
Published: August 6, 2025