Transportation engineers have put the brakes on a renovation project for two heavily used bridges carrying cars on Malta Avenue over Interstate 87 in the town of Malta.
The project proposed by the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) calls for replacing the bridges while retaining the existing two, 10-foot travel lanes and two, 5-foot shoulders. Originally set to be put into high gear in 2009, at a public information meeting on Thursday, Jan. 24, DOT officials said the jackhammers likely won’t begin blasting at the site until 2010.
Even at an accelerated pace, the project would take at least four to six months to complete, sending about 5,000 vehicles a day through detours.
DOT project managers said scheduling the work for 2010 will allow them to best chances of speeding the renovations along.
There are many requirements for putting state projects out to bid, and we have to also keep in mind the construction season, said Craig Blake, DOT region 1 designer. `There’s also work being done at the Round Lake bypass, and we didn’t want too much happening in the area at the same time.`
Craig said the new bridge beams will be constructed of steel, and with bid awards, ordering and delivery, the materials couldn’t be on site and good to go in less than seven months.
`That would put us into September or October, which is late in the season; we don’t like to pour bridge decks after September,` said Blake.
Blake said the bridges, last repaired in 1996, will remain structurally sound until the project begins, regardless of whether it’s 2009, 2010 or later.
`We run inspections and rate the bridges to make sure we’re replacing them before they’re deteriorating,` said Blake. `These bridges haven’t even been posted to limit the tonnage on trucks allowed to pass.`
The project would also eliminate the existing bridge piers at the shoulders on the Northway, paving the way for possible future interstate modifications.
With more months built into the timetable, town of Malta officials can make plans for wrapping the bridges into the town’s newly adopted linkage plan.
`We’re discussing improving the shoulders on the bridges, and also adding a sidewalk for an extension of our pathway to get over the bridge,` said town parks and recreation director Audrey Ball. `Lots of serious cyclists take that route to get across Route 9 over to the rural roads on Malta Avenue Extension.`
Ball said the cycling path, which would be safely separated from the road and shoulders, would be limited to the scope of the project funded by state DOT.
`This won’t create a path across the entire road, but it’s a start,` said Ball.
Meanwhile, the owner of the business located nearest the bridges said he is keeping careful track of when the project will take place, since he’ll be the most likely affected when cars are steered away from his entrance.
Dave Bowman owns Bowman Orchards North, a four-season farm with fruits, vegetables and baked goods.
`Whenever they decide to do the project, it could ruin my business for a year,` said Bowman. `I haven’t gotten any specifics from the state about when the construction will start; but we’re talking about what can be done to keep the impact down for me, if possible.`
Plans to help Bowman include putting up visible signs showing drivers how to get to his farm.
Bowman said he also needs months of advance notice so he can buy seeds and prepare for his annual planting.
`If the bridge is closed in the fall, I will lose my entire pick-your-own apple season,` said Bowman. `My preference would be that they start it very early in the spring and be done by fall.`
`We’re going to keep people posted,` said Blake. `We’re following our original schedule to have the design finished and put out the plans by November 2008.`
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