Phase one of the Staten Island Expressway rehabilitation project in New York broke ground this week at a ceremony attended by federal, state and local officials.

The scope of work for the $75m first phase will involve revising the entrance and exit ramp layouts on the 1.8-mile section of the highway, integrating service roads and improving access points to ease traffic congestion.

The first phase secured $53m in federal funds and $40m from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The second and third phase of the $150m rehabilitation project will include the extension of high occupancy toll and bus lanes.