By Jessica Schultz-
What makes our communities so beautiful? Not just the great people, but the infostructure. The architecture where we house our businesses, the roads we drive on, the bridges that span the beautiful Chautauqua Lake. Keeping those things strong is part of what helps our counties draw in visitors and enables our local population to get around. It’s important to maintain these structures. And now, in that spirit, a section of 1-86 (Southern Tier Expressway), fondly known as the Stow Bridge is going to see some repairs.
The bridge was officially dedicated in 2013 to a local man who was killed in action in the Vietnam War at the age of 18, Marine PFC John Stow and all those who went missing in action during that time. The “John Stow Vietnam Veterans and MIA Memorial Bridge” has long connected the Town of Harmony, New York to Bemus Point, New York and hasn’t seen upgrades for a very long time. The Villager had a chance to speak with NYS Department of Transportation, Assistant to the Regional Director, Susan Surdej P.E. about the upcoming project and what all it entails.
The Villager (V): The 1-86 over Chautauqua Lake Rehabilitation project is just getting started, could you let us know how long the work will affect the local residents?
Susan (S): “The project is currently under design, and once the project is let in, in 2023, we anticipate that this will be a three-year construction project. There will be changes to traffic patterns during the various stages of construction. Detours will be in place for ramp construction at times. The scope of work will replace the deteriorating bridge deck, concrete barriers, and other bridge elements.”
V: Will the bridge be partially open for travel during the work?
S: “Traffic will be maintained at all times on the bridge. This project will utilize staged construction meaning one lane of traffic in each direction will utilize half of the bridge, while the other half of the bridge is being constructed. There may be significant congestion during this time but we will do our best to keep everything flowing smoothly.”
V: What consultant firm is working on the bridge and when is the expected completion date for the project?
S: “The project is being designed by the NYSDOT and the bids will be opened in the Spring of 2023. We anticipate the contractor will complete the project in late 2025.”
V: How do you think that the project betters the community?
S: “This very large bridge is 40-years-old and hasn’t had any significant improvement since its original construction. This project is an example of the improvements that are required to keep the bridge in a state of good repair. These improvements will make it safer for our locals and visitors alike to commute between these communities.”
Thank you, Susan, for taking the time to share this information with us. And a huge thank you to the New York State Department of Transportation for all the hard work it does and is planning to do for the benefit of our communities.