The Gillett Road bridge over the Erie Canal in the Town of Ogden closed Monday, November 2 for planned repairs.
Lori Maher at the New York State Department of Transportation says the bridge is expected to be closed for about a month.
Just a year ago, the weight limit on the span was restricted to 8 tons and Maher says the repair work occurring now is expected “to return the bridge to an R posting, which means everybody can use it, except those with special or overweight loads.”
Repairs to deteriorated steel are being performed by a contractor, the NYSDOT says. According to a news release, “The intent is to restore full service prior to a project to rehabilitate Route 259 in Spencerport in the future.”
Maher says the DOT is not anticipating any further work beyond current repairs on the Gillett Road. bridge before the Union Street bridge repairs begin. The NYSDOT has said it expects to work on the Route 259 span in 2016.
A detour for the Gillett Rd. bridge has been posted directing motorists to Route 31, Manitou Road and Town Line Road.
Local leaders, including members of the Spencerport Fire Department, Spencerport School District, Village of Spencerport and Town of Ogden expressed concerns to the NYSDOT earlier this year that work on the Gillett Road bridge needed to be done before the closing of the Route 259 bridge in the village took place.
With the 8 ton limit, large trucks and vehicles such as school buses have not been able to use the Gillett Road bridge. Spencerport School District buses and Spencerport Fire Department apparatus have been able to use the Rt. 259 bridge, although the weight limit on that span was reduced to 12 tons in 2014. The Martha Street bridge in the village is posted for 18 tons.
