New York Construction Report staff writer
Work is getting started on a trio of bridge replacement projects to enhance safety and improve mobility along travel corridors in the Western Southern Tier – a $10.1 million investment in the region’s transportation infrastructure.
Bridge deck panels from the former Tappan Zee Bridge, which was deconstructed in 2017, are being used as part of a $4.8 million project to replace the bridges carrying State Route 248 over Sugar Creek and Bennett’s Creek in the Town of Canisteo, Steuben County.
The re-used deck panels will be placed on newly constructed abutments to create new structure that will take the place of the aging Sugar Creek Bridge, which was originally built in 1939. The Bennett’s Creek bridge, which was built in 1974, will also be replaced by a new multi-girder bridge. Both new bridges will utilize weather resistant concrete and other materials to improve resiliency against severe weather. They will also have wider shoulders to better accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians.
“The Tappan Zee Bridge lives on with new purpose,” Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said in a statement. “The Thruway Authority decided years ago to set aside these concrete deck panels so that they could be strategically reused across New York State. This is a great example of government at all levels working together to save taxpayers money and benefit local communities.”
State Route 248 is a main access road for downtown Canisteo, and the replacement of the Sugar Creek and Bennett’s Creek follows NYSDOT’s $8.6 million investment to enhance safety and beautify the village’s downtown area that was completed last year. During construction, traffic over Sugar Creek will be maintained via installation of a temporary bridge on site.
The Bennetts Creek bridge will be completed in phases with traffic reduced to one lane and controlled by temporary signals. Substantial construction is expected to be complete by the end the year.
Additional projects include:
- $3 million to replace the State Route 54 bridge over Willow Grove Creek in the Town of Milo, Yates County, replacing the original structure constructed in 1938, with a steel girder bridge. The new bridge will feature galvanized steel elements and a composite concrete deck that are more weather resistant and will provide an expected service life of 75 years. The new bridge will also have wider shoulders to better accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians. State Route 54 lies in the heart of the Finger Lakes, running north to south along the east side of Keuka Lake and providing countless visitors access to the many wineries that can be found driving along this route. Demolition of the original bridge begin began April 10 and the entire project is anticipated to wrap up in fall of this year.
- $2.3 million to replace the State Route 14A bridge over Rock Stream Creek in the Town of Reading, Schuyler County. The project will replace the original structure constructed in 1926, with a concrete arch bridge that will feature wider shoulders and have an expected service life of 70 years.
