Yonkers Contracting Marks 80 Years of Building New York’s Future

Nearly 400 employees, partners and local officials gathered October 3 at Yonkers Contracting Company’s Midland Avenue facility to celebrate a milestone few construction firms ever reach—80 years of shaping New York’s infrastructure.

The event, led by Chairman Carl Petrillo, drew remarks from Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace, all praising the company’s enduring commitment to excellence and community.

Founded in 1945 by Edward Petrillo and now guided by his son, Carl, Yonkers Contracting has grown from a small road and bridge builder into a diversified infrastructure powerhouse that has literally paved the way for the region’s economic growth. With more than 1,350 completed projects totaling $13 billion, YCC’s work spans highways, tunnels, commuter rail lines, substations and treatment plants—projects that define resilience and reliability.

“Our business strategy values relationships,” Petrillo told the crowd. “Many people here today have developed long-term relationships with Yonkers Contracting Company that elevate our performance and provide good business for our partners. It is our goal to maintain existing relationships and seek out new ones.”

Petrillo credited the company’s employees as the driving force behind its success. “In our 80th year these are the faces of Yonkers Contracting—this is the 2025 team we fielded,” he says, asking workers to stand for applause. “Please join me in recognizing this most important resource of our company—the people.”

Among the firm’s milestone projects are the World Trade Center PATH Restoration Program following 9/11, the Bronx River Parkway Viaduct replacement, the Brooklyn Bridge Emergency Deck Replacement and the LaGuardia Airport East Parking Garage. Each reflects YCC’s ability to evolve with the times while staying true to its family-driven roots.

“I believe my father would be very proud of his business today,” Petrillo says. “We best honor his memory by continuing to conduct business in the same manner people have come to expect of us: a corporation that provides gainful employment, has a social conscience and renders a distinctive service to its clients.”

That dedication has inspired loyalty across generations. “The secret of our success is that we have people here who want to be here,” said VP and Project Manager Jack Donnelly, who has been with the firm for 28 years. Former Senior VP Bill Jordan, who retired after 39 years, says, “Carl wants you to think out of the box. He promotes that and rewards that. You have to be doing something right if you’re going to be here for 80 years.”

From its roots in Yonkers to its reach across the Tri-state region, Yonkers Contracting remains a cornerstone of New York’s infrastructure story—building not just bridges and roads, but relationships and a legacy that continues to endure.

Photo Caption: Joining Yonkers Contracting Company Chairman Carl Petrillo at podium, from left, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace. Photo courtesy of Yonkers Contracting.