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After two years of work, the reconstruction of the Patroon Island Bridge is complete.

The $148 million project was the largest roadwork effort in upstate New York history, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Traveled by 70,000 vehicles a day, the bridge carries Interstate 90 over the Hudson River between the cities of Albany and Rensselaer. The state had documented a history of cracks in floor beams and weld connections on the bridge, leading to the need for the work.

All the ramps connecting Interstate 90 with Interstate 787 at the western end of the bridge were also rehabilitated. Work included replacing the bridge decks and bearings, repairing steel, painting, and replacing and repairing the structures underneath the interchange. New concrete piers were built to support the interchange ramps, new traffic monitoring systems were installed and new concrete barriers were constructed on and between the bridges. The deck panels were precast elsewhere and then installed to make the work go more quickly.

At its highest point, the 1,795-foot-long span is 106 feet above the Hudson River. It was built in 1968 and partly repaired in 1992.

"It's such a gateway not only for people who live and work here but for visitors to the Capital Region," Transportation Commissioner Matthew Driscoll said. "It was delivered on time and on budget."

He said 2,000 jobs were created or retained as a result of the work. Contractors on the work were A. Servidone, Inc./B. Anthony Construction Corp. of Castleton and Halmar International of Rockland County.

Given how heavily used the road is, Driscoll said the priority was to have as much work done at night or on weekends as possible.

"This was a complex project with a lot of moving parts," he said.

Assemblyman John McDonald said he travels the bridge regularly and was impressed at how little disruption the work caused.

"This project went through in a very timely manner," he added.

For 12 years, McDonald said, he served as chairman of the board of the Capital District Transportation Committee and the work was long discussed. Plans originally called for a new bridge, which he said would have been far more expensive. He credited Sam Zhou, regional director for the DOT, with finding a less expensive alternative.

Mark Eagan, CEO of the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce, said the bridge is a vital link in the region and for people coming to it.

"When you look at our region and the river, this bridge is critically important," he said. "When the state said they were going to do it, we were nervous. We were afraid the state would put up a detour sign. We're glad they took the approach they did. It really was done with little disruption, and now we're going to be set for years to come."

tobrien@timesunion.com • 518-454-5092 • @timobrientu