New York State will provide $8.6 million in funding for an expedited project to replace the bridge carrying County Road 26 over the Genesee River in the Town of Belfast, Allegany County.
The project, which will be undertaken by Allegany County with oversight from the State Department of Transportation, will restore a key crossing that provides access for area homes and business; and is commonly used by school buses and emergency services, Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a Feb. 16 statement. The bridge, the only crossing within nearly a dozen miles, was closed to traffic on Feb. 4 following an inspection.
“We are committed to restoring New York’s infrastructure and are ready to assist our local communities in taking on important projects like this one,” Gov. Hochul said. “The County Road 26 Bridge is a vital piece of infrastructure for residents and businesses in and around the Town of Belfast, and we want to get it operational as quickly as possible.”
The bridge was closed following a recent, routine, safety inspection by the New York State Department of Transportation, which has one of the most rigorous bridge inspection programs in the nation. The state requires all highway bridges to be inspected at least every two years and is one of the few states in the nation that requires bridge inspection teams to be headed by licensed professional engineers who have undergone specific training. In New York State, bridge inspectors assess all bridge components and are required to evaluate, score and document the condition of structural elements as well as the general components common to all bridges.
The $8.6 million project is being funded by the State Department of Transportation through a combination of federal, state and local funding. Design work on the repair project will soon commence and a work schedule will be established based on the design parameters. NYSDOT will work with the County to help them accelerate design and construction. Motorists should continue to follow the posted detour.
