Construction has begun on $2.2 million project to rehabilitate the Marsh Road Bridge in Bushnell’s Basin. The money was included in Governor Andrew Cuomo’s five year Bridge New York Initiative, and NYS Transportation Department spokesman Jordan Guerrein says it is a bridge that gets a lot of use.
“Especially this is an important one as it’s a bridge over the Erie Canal, and part of the Erie Canal heritage trail here. We have more than 3,000 vehicles a day at this crossing here so it’s important that we bring this bridge up to speed and begin this project in a timely fashion. This project is beginning one year earlier than anticipated,” Guerrein told WXXI News.
Guerrein says this project will enhance public safety by helping the Bushnell’s Basin Fire Department respond more easily to emergency situations.
“The bridge right now is posted for eight tons, so fire trucks right now have to detour around the bridge to reach the neighborhoods on the north side of the canal. The bridge, once it’s completed here in the summer will now be able to carry all legal loads which will provide for that access to emergency services, much easier and much faster for those folks who live in those neighborhoods.”
The rehab work also involves widening the approaches to the bridge. That will allow drivers getting ready to get onto the single lane bridge to better see if there is oncoming traffic.
The Marsh Road Bridge will close to all traffic starting on Wednesday, with a posted detour directing drivers to use Route 96, I-490 and Route 31.
The bridge is expected to reopen in mid to late summer, but there will still be some lane closures into the fall as the work is finished up.
