Fate of Smith Street bridge decision looms

Time is of the essence for Village of Brockport officials to make a decision on the fate of the closed Smith Street bridge over the Erie Canal.

New York State Department of Transportation closed the bridge on June 15. An inspection of the structure by the DOT had revealed additional, rapid deterioration of the steel since the bridge was posted for a maximum of three tons last season. No detour had been posted and village residents had been wrestling with increased congestion across the village's Main Street and Park Avenue bridges.

Mayor Mort Wexler and Trustee Carrie Maziarz met with Assemblyman Bill Reilich, Senator George Maziarz and DOT officials at the end of September to discuss the village's options with the Smith Street structure. "If the bridge is reopened, we will control (own) it," Wexler said.

The DOT has offered the village two options: keep the bridge closed permanently and possibly have it removed or the DOT would rehab the bridge and turn ownership of it over to the village. "If we do the second option and have the DOT repair it there will be no significant costs to us for the first 12 years," Wexler said. "The only thing we will have to do during that time is wash it down to get the salt off of it. We'd get about 12 years of use virtually maintenance free."

Trustee Maziarz said the DOT said if they didn't repair it they would remove it.

Village Manager Ian Coyle explained that the DOT is in the process of removing all high rise bridges. "They don't appear to have any plans to make these bridges working bridges any longer," he said. "What we need to decide is if we want to petition the DOT to rehab the bridge so we can take it over," he said. As a way to address maintenance costs, Coyle said the village could set aside money annually to address maintenance issues.

With annual maintenance, a rehabilitated bridge can last for up to 100 years, Coyle said.

Trustee Connie Castaneda said her concern was, "What will the village do with the bridge after the 12 years?"

Maziarz said the village would be eligible to apply for funds for future rehabilitation and in conjunction with the villages' building a reserve fund, it could likely address future issues. The village also lacks the expertise on staff of a bridge engineer and would have to budget for that as well.

"We need to make a decision quickly because this bridge being closed will interfere heavily with the Main Street project," Maziarz said. "Smith Street won't be repaired prior to Main Street construction and we could be looking at a potential for four years of construction within the village - two for Main Street and two for Smith Street. It would be nice if we could coordinate the projects."

"It behooves us to make a decision quickly," Wexler said.

Maziarz said village officials have been speaking with officials from the Village of Medina who undertook the ownership of one their high rise bridges following the DOT rehab work. "They limit the tonnage that can cross it and they use their fire trucks to go out and spray the salt off it," she said. "At this point it wouldn't cost us anything to have the bridge rehabbed and have us take it over but we need to make a decision."

Castaneda said she realizes the village is pressed for time but suggested sending a letter to residents in the area and inform them of the options for the bridge.

In other matters the board:

  • Heard from resident John Bush who asked how the budget process was progressing. "Are there any ideas on the budget? Have you looked into privatization and part time help as a way to cut costs?"
  • Gave approval for the SUNY Women's Center and Student Social Organization to host its annual Take Back the Night walk on October 26 from 7 to 10 p.m.
  • Passed a resolution allowing Margy Blackman of the Tree Board to apply for a NYS Department of Environmental Conservation grant to purchase 50 trees. The village, she said, has 782 "blank" spaces in which trees should be planted. The grant, if approved, would purchase trees to plant along Spring and Gordon Streets.

October 8, 2006