Brockport officials discuss canal bridge issues

Since June 15, more than 1,400 daily travelers who utilized the Smith Street bridge in Brockport village have had to change their routes.

Dan Blackburn, who has worked on canal bridges for the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) for more than 20 years, was invited to the August 7 village board workshop to talk with officials about the bridge.

DOT officials closed the bridge following an inspection that revealed additional, rapid deterioration of the steel since the bridge was posted for a maximum of three tons last season. No detours have been posted, but nearby crossings include Redman Road, Main Street and Park Avenue. The bridge will remain open to pedestrians.

There is the possibility that the bridge could be rehabilitated by the DOT, but following those repairs, the ownership of the bridge would revert to the village. Village officials requested Blackburn attend the meeting to tell them what is involved in bridge maintenance.

Mayor Mort Wexler said the village was informed that once the bridge was rehabbed, its life span would be about 50 to 75 years. "The village board would have to eventually make a decision on whether we would want to own a bridge," he said at a prior board meeting.

Having the bridge closed places a burden on the other bridges in the village, officials have acknowledged. It is not known when the bridge will be repaired and reopened.

Blackburn told officials that once rehabbed the bridge would require annual maintenance of a pressurized wash. "If you have access to a barge and a pressure washer it can be done," he said. He didn't know if the village would have access to a barge which would allow them to wash the underside of the bridge or if they would have to rent one.

Every five years, the bridge would require spot painting of rust spots. Blackburn said that could run between $5,000 and $7,000 and would likely have to be contracted out. Every 20 years the bridge would need a complete paint job and that costs about $120,000 in today's dollars, he said. With regular maintenance though, these bridges are built to last, he said.

Blackburn said Smith Street bridge was opened in 1903 and withstood the test of time until 2006. That is a testament to their longevity, he said of the bridge structures, adding that rehabilitated and maintained, it could last another 100 years.

Wexler said because village travelers had access to Park Avenue and Main Street bridges, the rehabilitation of Smith Street was not a high priority for DOT officials. But that bridge saw 1,400 vehicles every day, it may not be a major artery but it carried a lot of traffic, he said.

Village officials have not made a decision on the community's involvement with the bridge.

August 13, 2006