WILLIAMSPORT – State Senator Gene Yaw (R-23) today joined High Steel Structures, LLC employees and elected officials to celebrate the completion of steel fabrication for the New New York Bridge Project, the largest transportation infrastructure design-build project in the United States.
Located north of New York City, the New NY Bridge Project is replacing the Tappan Zee Bridge. The bridge will carry the Thruway, Interstate 87, and Interstate 287 over the Hudson River between South Nyack, Rockland County, New York and Tarrytown, Westchester County. High Steel Structures was contracted for approximately 50,000 tons of steel to support the approach spans of the new bridge, valued at more than $120 million.
During the ceremony, the company unveiled the last girder, freshly painted in the project’s trademark blue color.
The Senator cited the growing need for skilled manufacturing professionals and noted that the Pennsylvania College of Technology is doubling its welding training.
“This is a very exciting time for manufacturing and infrastructure development in our country,” Sen. Yaw said. “For years, Penn College’s welding department has produced graduates essential to the manufacturing workforce. With high enrollment, positive placement and graduation rates above the college average, the desire for Penn College welding grads is certainly growing.”
Yaw added “the New New York Bridge is a significant and iconic addition to our country’s landscape. High Steel Structures should take great pride in its accomplishment.”
At the event, Yaw joined Jeff Sterner, President and COO, High Industries Inc.; Ronnie Medlock, P.E, VP, Technical Services, High Steel Structures LLC; Chris Ray, Executive Director, Business Development, Workforce Development & Continuing Education, Pennsylvania College of Technology; Congressman Tom Marino; Rep. Jeff Wheeland and Dr. Gabriel Campana, Mayor of Williamsport.
To support the project, High Steel completed an $11.4 million, 30,000-square-foot expansion of its Williamsport facility, installed new state-of-the-art equipment to improve efficiency, and added approximately 200 jobs. The expansion was supported by a $430,000 grant awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and was contingent upon High Steel’s winning the contract to fabricate the bridge.
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