ROCHESTER, N.Y. — For nearly a year and a half, the downtown ramp to I-490 East has been closed, leaving motorists searching for answers. News10NBC’s Brett Davidsen has uncovered the reason behind the closure through a state Department of Transportation (DOT) inspection report.
The ramp, which has been in use since 1974, served roughly 6,000 motorists daily. Now, barriers block the entrances at South Avenue and Howell Street, forcing drivers to find alternative routes since August 2024.
RELATED: State keeps I-490 flyover ramp closed due to ‘poor’ condition, impacting up to 1,200 daily drivers
Business owners weigh in
Local business owners and workers have expressed frustration over the lack of communication.
Adam Scheffler, a downtown business owner, said, “Now that cars aren’t going on the ramp, I feel that a lot less people are seeing that we’re here.”
Mo Serrano, who works downtown, added, “I’ve been working here for about sex to seven years. No communication as to why it has been shut down.”
Despite various timelines provided by the state DOT, no major repair work has begun.
Dan O’Brien, who also works downtown, shared, “I guess I’m just compliant and complacent and have decided to go that way to get on 490.”
The inspection report Brett obtained reveals significant structural deterioration.
Dr. Abi Aghayere, a professor of structural engineering at Drexel University, reviewed the report. “My overall impression was that this ramp was really crying out for help,” he said.
Read the 2024 NYSDOT Inspection Report here
2024-I-490-ramp-inspection-reportDownloadStructural engineer gives his take
Dr. Aghayere identified the biggest issues in the three hinge joints, which are crucial lateral connections to the concrete girders. “It’s like a ledge sitting on the hinge joint. And so, when that hinge joint deteriorates, if God forbid it fails, the one part of the bridge is going to drop down,” he explained.
Upon inspection, large sections of concrete had dropped off, exposing corroded rebar, which led inspectors to issue a yellow flag in the report. Dr. Aghayere believed the ramp warranted closure, stating, “I believe so. It has to be fixed. You can’t leave it like this.”
He attributes the deterioration to improper drainage, allowing water and salt to collect in weak spots. Dr. Aghayere noted, “It doesn’t just happen in one year or one month. So, and I know these bridges are inspected periodically, so I don’t know why it was left — especially an old bridge like that.”
A yellow flag was issued during an inspection a year earlier but didn’t warrant closure at that time. The DOT hasn’t made anyone available for an interview, but a spokesperson stated in an email that the ramp is not in danger of collapse. Whether the DOT will repair, replace, or abandon the ramp depends on the findings of a more detailed study currently underway.
Adam Scheffler expressed the uncertainty felt by many, saying, “Honestly, it’s just kind of one of those things where it’s been in limbo for so long, it’s like, what is actually going to happen.”
The DOT’s detailed study also involves assessing the overall efficiency of Rochester’s highway system, indicating that the agency is considering whether the ramp is still necessary.
News10NBC Investigation: Rochester ramp’s severe deterioration revealed in inspection report WHEC.com.
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