$4.5 Million Project Smooths Ride Over Route 17 Bridges in Vestal

Drivers traveling on Route 17 through Vestal no longer are experiencing the lengthy delays that were common in recent months during a bridge repair project.

A $4.5 million project to replace approach slabs on the highway's bridges over the Susquehanna River and Vestal Road has been completed.

Potholes and other pavement deficiencies had damaged vehicles using the bridges over the last few years. The bridges were constructed in 1969.

FLASHBACK: Vehicles were disabled due to a massive pothole on Route 17 on March 18, 2024. (File Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

According to the state Department of Transportation, an average of 42,000 vehicles  a day travel on the section of Route 17.

Work on the bridge repair project started in July. While the work was underway, drivers had to deal with a single-lane configuration for both directions of the highway.

On-ramps from Route 26 to Route 17 eastbound were closed, forcing motorists to the Vestal Parkway or Route 17C as alternatives. Traffic on those roadways often was slowed because of heavy volume.

Police were kept busy handling crashes on Route 17 on crossovers approaching the work area and in the construction zone itself.

Some drivers made matters worse when they engaged in lane blocking ahead of the merge points on the highway.

The vexing situation prompted the DOT to set up an advisory sign to warn motorists not to employ that tactic. One message bluntly stated: "You are Not Helping."

This unconventional message greeted motorists on Route 17 in Broome County on October 27, 2026. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @bobjoseph.bsky.social on Bluesky or @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.