Governor Hochul Announces Groundbreaking on New, Cutting-edge Department of Transportation Laboratory Designed to Enhance Public Safety on Transportation Infrastructure Across[...]

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Department of Transportation and the Office of General Services (OGS) have broken ground on a $150.5 million project to build a consolidated, cutting-edge materials testing facility for the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) at the W. Averell Harriman State Office Building Campus in Albany. This state-of-the-art Central Testing Laboratory will replace NYSDOT's outdated and undersized, 60-plus-year-old facilities with an expanded complex that will increase the NYSDOT's ability to sustainably test and certify that the products and materials used on New York's roads and bridges are safe and can withstand the challenges of the 21st century. The new laboratory, estimated for completion in fall 2029, will help NYSDOT fulfill its mission to provide all New Yorkers with a safe and reliable transportation network.

"The New York State Department of Transportation is a national leader in the deployment of reliable and adaptable materials on our roads and bridges, and this testing facility plays a major role in these efforts," Governor Hochul said. "We are investing more in our state's infrastructure than at any other time in our history, the foundation of which begins with a laboratory that has the testing capacity to certify that the materials the Department uses are the safest and most dependable products in the nation. This new facility will also ensure that New York State remains an innovative leader in developing and utilizing sustainable transportation materials on our roads and bridges, which will in turn increase resiliency throughout the state's highway system."

NYSDOT's Central Testing Laboratory performs approximately 100,000 tests each year, evaluating the chemical, physical and performance properties of the thousands of materials used on transportation projects in New York State. An accredited central state laboratory is required by the Federal Highway Administration and is a cornerstone of NYSDOT's robust construction and materials quality assurance program. The laboratory tests ensure that all materials used meet state and federal quality and performance standards.

The current laboratory testing facilities are spread across two outdated buildings, the traffic signal laboratory and the drillers' operation center. While these facilities continue to safely perform critical testing functions, they fall short of modern building and laboratory standards and no longer meet NYSDOT's needs. The new laboratory will consolidate all facilities into one location, optimizing an innovative layout to expand and enhance critical activities, accommodate new testing equipment, and evaluate materials used on roads and bridges across the state. This new space will support NYSDOT's continued commitment to high quality materials including asphalt and concrete performance mixes to ensure they provide the resiliency, sustainability, and traction characteristics to make our roadways safer, especially during inclement weather. The Central Testing Lab has always been at the national forefront in establishing requirements for new equipment and testing methods to ensure that low-carbon materials meet stringent technical and performance standards, establishing reliable methodologies to identify, verify and integrate low-carbon materials into state infrastructure projects.

The new 114,500-square-foot facility has been designed to meet New York State's sustainability standards by prioritizing energy efficiency. It will operate fully on electric power, using geothermal energy to heat and cool the building. The grounds outside will also include electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for fleet vehicles.

Building highlights will include:

• Advanced testing equipment for materials and traffic signal laboratories, featuring full electric power that utilizes a geothermal heating and cooling system with wellfields extending 800 feet below the surface. This sustainable system will harness the earth's natural temperature to provide reliable, efficient temperature control in the new building.
• A steel-framed building with ethylene propylene diene monomer roofing on a concrete mat slab.
• 17 core laboratories; a high-bay strength lab for a 1-million-pound-rated, custom testing frame; and a modern training area with retractable walls.
• Garage space with three drive-through double bays for holding large vehicles with trailers; forklift charging; an overhead crane; an environmental chamber and traffic signal testing wall with space for staging; and office and warehouse spaces.

Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, "The baseline of a safe transportation system begins and ends with the work that is performed every day in our Central Laboratory, and breaking ground on this new facility is a critical step in ensuring the safety of our roads and bridges for generations to come. I thank Governor Hochul for her unwavering support for public safety through transportation investments, the State Office of General Services for their partnership in helping us bring this project all the way to construction, and our dedicated team for their diligent work in moving this project forward and making it a reality. This facility is going to be a game changer for the future of highway and transportation safety in New York and has limitless potential to improve our robust state highway system. Construction of this new laboratory facility will enable the State Department of Transportation to retain our place as a national leader on the cutting edge of transportation innovation, leading to more robust, durable and resilient infrastructure across the Empire State."

New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, "The future of New York's transportation network depends on construction materials that are safe, durable, and environmentally sound. Under Governor Kathy Hochul's leadership, OGS is constructing a modern, climate-resilient, and unified Central Testing Laboratory for NYSDOT. Our team is proud to deliver a new facility that will bring New York's leading experts together under one roof, giving them the advanced tools and infrastructure needed to test the components that go into our state's roads and bridges with unmatched precision."

State Senator Patricia Fahy said, "The New York State Department of Transportation's new state-of-the-art Central Testing Lab will ensure that our bridges and roadways are safe and strong for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists alike. Not only will it create good-paying jobs right here in the Capital Region; it will enhance existing NYSDOT's ability to test materials and maintain our transportation network. This new, cutting-edge lab is also another poignant reminder that the Harriman Campus stands on the cusp of a transformation with a recent State investment to study opportunities for greater connectivity and mixed use development. I want to thank NYSDOT Commissioner Dominguez for her continued partnership."

Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh said, "Investing in infrastructure means investing not only in our roads and bridges, but also in the people and facilities that ensure that infrastructure is safe. This new Central Testing Laboratory will give NYSDOT employees a facility to conduct the critical testing that helps ensure the materials used on our roads and bridges are safe, durable and reliable. I'm proud to see this significant investment taking place right here in the Capital Region. This is an investment in both our workforce and the future of our transportation network."

Assemblymember Gabriella Romero said, "This new Central Testing Laboratory is a smart investment in public safety, innovation, and sustainability. By modernizing NYSDOT's facilities, we're giving employees the tools they need to ensure New York's roads and bridges remain safe, durable, and reliable for generations to come."

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said, "Keeping New Yorkers safe on our roads and bridges starts long before a driver gets behind the wheel. It starts with making sure the materials and products used to build and maintain our transportation infrastructure meet the highest standards. This new state-of-the-art laboratory will give NYSDOT the modern tools and technology it needs to test those materials and strengthen the safety and reliability of our transportation network. Albany County is proud to be home to this important investment and to continue serving as a center for innovation and public service for communities across New York State."

City of Albany Mayor Dr. Dorcey Applyrs said, "I want to congratulate the New York State Department of Transportation and the Office of General Services on this major investment as they continue to ensure New York State's innovation around public infrastructure improvements. Albany is proud to be the host of numerous cutting-edge laboratories and facilities, such as the NYSDOT Central Laboratory, which raises the caliber of research in our City and attracts high-quality jobs to our community"

CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan said, "Governor Hochul continues to recognize the importance of investing in New York's state workforce and the public services our members provide. This new facility will give Department of Transportation employees the tools and workspace they need to do their jobs effectively and safely, while supporting their critical work maintaining New York's roads and bridges. We applaud the Governor's continued commitment to investing in our state workforce and ensuring public employees have the resources they need to serve New Yorkers."

About the Department of Transportation It is the mission of the New York State Department of Transportation to provide a safe, reliable, equitable, and resilient transportation system that connects communities, enhances quality of life, protects the environment, and supports the economic well-being of New York State.

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About the New York State Office of General Services

For 65 years, the New York State Office of General Services has proudly served as the operational engine of New York State. The agency provides the essential foundation for government to function seamlessly - managing and leasing real property, designing modern facilities, streamlining procurement, and stewarding world-class cultural assets.

Through its commitment to efficiency, innovation, and environmental sustainability, OGS handles the complex logistics of government so that its partners can dedicate their full focus to what matters most: advancing their missions to serve the people of New York.

Discover how OGS continues to support New York at ogs.ny.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.