Work began Monday, April 29, on a $3.9 million project to replace the James E. Widener Memorial Bridge, which carries State Route 386 over Black Creek in the town of Chili. Private First Class Widener resided in Chili and served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, where he went Missing in Action fighting for his country. The bridge was dedicated in his honor in 2007.
“Memorializing and honoring our nation’s veterans for their service and sacrifice in defense of our freedoms is a core value of our Governor and our agency,” said New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez. “Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership, we are able to provide the Chili community with a new structure that will provide continued connectivity for residents while ensuring we remember and honor James E. Widener’s commitment to our country, and the entire Widener family’s contributions to the Town of Chili.”
On June 11, 1967, PFC Widener was declared Missing In Action when his helicopter was shot down and crashed within the Quang Tri Province in South Vietnam. He was 18 years old. Nearly forty years later, the United States Department of Defense positively identified PFC Widener’s remains and he was returned home to the United States. He received a proper military burial and was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.
Widener and his family’s legacy began before the Town of Chili was even established in the early 19th century and continues on today through this bridge as well as through the nearby Widener Park, which can be found one mile south of James’ namesake bridge. James has two surviving siblings: his brother Peter who lives in the town and serves as the Town Historian; his sister Julie, who also resides in the town. James’ two other siblings have since passed: Jay Widener Jr., who served in the United States Air Force; and Mark B. Widener, who served in the United States Army within the 101st Airborne Division.
The existing truss bridge was built in 1931. It will be replaced with an integral abutment bridge that will eliminate the need for bridge joints, which will reduce future maintenance costs over the bridge’s 75-year service life, all the while maintaining connectivity for nearby residents and providing multi-modal enhancements along State Route 386. Once complete, this project will also deliver five-foot-wide shoulders to accommodate multi-modal traffic. Additionally, a wildlife bench will be installed beneath the structure to ensure animals can safely pass without needing to cross State Route 386.
State Route 386 is a north-south highway beginning in the village of Scottsville in the south and ending at State Route 104 in the town of Greece. The roadway services rural and suburban communities within Monroe County, primarily to residential traffic.
The project is slated for completion by this fall. Once completed, new signage will be installed and the bridge will continue to be known as the James E. Widener Memorial Bridge.
Peter Widener said, “Brother Jim’s youth and life were sacrificed for hundreds of community friends and Americans. His influence and inspiration to others have now been rewarded back to Jim. Dedications and memorials help us and our citizens remember who we are as Americans. My sister Julie and I thank all for their patriotic love and I say to my community, SEMPER FI, as I did when we buried Jim at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.”
Senator Pam Helming said, “Infrastructure investments such as this are essential to our community’s economic success and the safety of the traveling public. I’m pleased that this bridge will continue to stand in honor of PFC Widener who so honorably served his country.”
Assemblymember Harry Bronson said, “Chili residents have been asking for this renovation for a long time and now we have the funding to make it happen. I’m glad to be a part of the effort to restore this bridge, befitting its namesake James E. Widener, and the positive attribute it will be to the Chili community.”
The bridge will remain close for the duration of the project. Motorists are encouraged to utilize the posted detour. All construction activities are weather dependent. Motorists are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. In accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver’s license.
For real-time travel information, motorists should call 511 or visit http://www.511NY.org or the mobile site at m.511ny.org, New York State’s official traffic and travel information source.
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