Route 259 Erie Canal bridge repairs on schedule

The repairs to the Route 259 Erie Canal lift bridge in Spencerport are reported to be going exactly as planned and are on schedule. A report issued by the Canal Corporation to Ogden Supervisor Gay Lenhard, stated the following:

"The northeast corner cables (of the bridge) have been removed and replaced. The northside sheave wheels have been inspected and found to be in good condition.

The southside lifting frame has been primed for final coat painting.

The inside northwest corner roller is walking out of its bearing. As part of the project the corporation will fix the roller. This work does not add additional time to the project."

In addition to the updates from the Canal Corporation, the following was reported by Lori Maher, NYS Department of Transportation public information officer: "NYSDOT bridge maintenance is working on the bridge ... to make repairs to the steel grating on the deck of the bridge. They are also planning to pave the approaches to the bridge. Due to safety considerations for the workers, the paving will be scheduled when the paving equipment will not interfere with the individuals working on the bridge. If the paving is not completed within the next week, other arrangements will be made. The paving can be performed without closing the bridge to traffic."

The bridge is expected to re-open to traffic on Saturday, August 7. During the week of August 9-13, the bridge will be raised and closed to traffic during the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to finish the final repairs.