One canal bridge opens, another closes

Many residents will rejoice over the expected lowering of the Washington Street bridge in Adams Basin the week of November 5. As the canal boating season closes, the ailing bridge can be lowered to allow vehicular traffic once again.

Travelers will then adjust to the impact of another bridge closing: The New York State Department of Transportation is undertaking a project to improve the condition of the Gallup Road Bridge. The bridge will be closed to all traffic beginning the week of November 5.

Gallup Road was originally scheduled to be under construction earlier this summer but with the closure of the Washington Street Bridge, the obvious choice for an alternate route, work on Gallup Road was postponed until this fall when the Canal boating season ends, according to the New York State Department of Transportation.

"By not closing Gallup Road at the same time as the Washington Street bridge is closed, we are able to minimize the impact of our work on the neighbors in the community," Regional Director Charles Moynihan said. "We make every effort we can to minimize inconvenience, time and money on the traveling public when we can - even if it means rescheduling a project to another part of the year."

Specific work to the bridge includes removing and replacing all concrete features of the bridge, including pier sub-structures, end approach spans, and replacing the pavement. The recently installed guiderail will be removed, safely stored, and re-installed at the completion of the project next spring (April 2003).

The contract was awarded to Crane-Hogan Structural Systems of Spencerport.