Four Erie Canal bridge projects scheduled

The NYSDOT will undertake a $1.6 million project to rehabilitate four bridges spanning the Erie Canal in western Monroe and Orleans counties this year. Specific locations include Butts Road on the east side of Albion, Marshall Road on the west side of Medina in the town of Ridgeway, Groth Road in the town of Murray and Trimmer Road in the town of Ogden.

Repair work will be essentially the same on each structure, according to the NYSDOT. The concrete approach spans will be replaced as will the concrete pier columns. Varying sections of the center steel truss will be replaced. The existing width and alignment will remain consistent. Sight distances on each bridge will be improved by modifying the grade of the approach.

Each crossing will be closed to vehicular traffic during construction. Work should not impact waterway traffic. A detour will be posted for trail users (pedestrians and bicyclists) around the work zone where the trail is open. The NYS Thruway/Canal Corp. has a section of the trail closed while they progress a project to reconstruct the trail.

This work is part of a Regional Canal Bridge Initiative to improve the condition of several canal bridges in the Genesee Valley region. A contract was awarded last summer to improve the Gallup, Telegraph and Beals road crossings with similar work and is expected to be completed this summer.

Construction is expected to begin on Groth, Butts and Marshall roads in April 2003. Special arrangements are being made to adjust the schedule on Butts Road to accommodate pedestrians for the road race planned for June 14 in conjunction with the annual Strawberry Festival. The bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic between the second week of April and November. Work on Trimmer Road is expected to begin in November '03 and be under construction through the winter months. Work on all structures is anticipated to be completed by June '04.

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