Pieces of Binghamton’s New Parking Ramp Arrive Via I-88

Dozens of precast concrete sections for a downtown Binghamton parking ramp are being trucked to the city from western Massachusetts.

Some of the parts for the Hawley Street garage weigh more than 30 tons. They are being transported down Interstate 88 from the Unistress Corporation plant in Pittsfield.

One truck driver said the 175-mile trek to Binghamton takes about three hours to complete.

The precast sections are being staged at the Binghamton plaza, a short distance away from the downtown construction site.

Project supervisors call for the pieces one at a time so they can be hoisted into place for the $11 million garage.

Each section of concrete must be precisely positioned as the 304-space parking structure rises one block west of City Hall.

One of the truck drivers said he likes visiting Binghamton but he did ask downtown drivers to extend a bit of courtesy as the big rigs are leaving the construction site. He said maneuvering between downtown and the Binghamton Plaza has been made more difficult by motorists who aren't inclined to give the trucks a break.

The precast concrete for the new parking facility is coming from the same supplier that provided the sections for a similar garage that was built at Lourdes Hospital in 2014.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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