A deal has been reached with Canadian Pacific Railway to replace two Otsego County bridges deemed deficient by the state Department of Transportation.
Work could begin on the Pony Farm bridge in Oneonta and Brooker Hollow bridge in East Worcester this fall, according to state Sen. James Seward's spokesman Duncan Davie.
Seward, R-Milford, negotiated a settlement with the railway, which owns both bridges. The deal calls for Canadian Pacific to pay for about half of the $1.2 million cost to install pre-cast, Con/Span bridges, according to Seward's office Wednesday.
The state will pay for the remainder through a $600,000 state grant obtained two years ago. Canadian Pacific will absorb $200,000 in engineering costs it has incurred so far, according to a media release from Seward.
Under the terms of the deal, the towns of Oneonta and Worcester would assume responsibility for the bridges after they are replaced.
"This is good news for residents, families and businesses that rely on the bridges to get to work or school and for ensuring quick access by first responders and municipal vehicles," Seward said in the release. "After months of work, we hammered out an agreement that will result in new, not repaired, structures to ensure safe travel for decades to come."
Planning for the bridge replacement projects is expected to begin in the next two weeks, Davie said.
Davie said it is hoped the work can be started this fall, but there is a possibility it would have to wait until spring.
"The important thing is to do it right," Davie said.
The Pony Farm bridge spans Canadian Pacific's tracks and links state Route 7 in the town of Oneonta to Pony Farm Road. It is one of only two road routes into the 70-acre Pony Farm Industrial Park and a neighborhood of several homes and a farm. The bridge shows obvious signs of stress, including rebar poking through crumbling concrete abutments. It was closed in late January, and barriers are in place at each end.
Otsego County Chamber President and CEO Rob Robinson, who lobbied the railroad on behalf of Pony Farm Industrial Park tenants, said it was good news.
But it would be better news, he added, if Canadian-Pacific is expeditious about installing the bridge.
The Brooker Hollow Road bridge in East Worcester is in a similar situation, although it remains open.
A temporary fix by the town has allowed vehicle traffic to use the bridge since January 2006. The bridge had been deemed unsafe by the DOT in 2005.
The railroad had at first favored repairing the structures pending possible federal assumption of the bridges, and a rail strike delayed discussions until several months ago, according to Seward's office.
"Canadian Pacific is pleased that the future of these two spans has been assured. The safety of the public and our operations is always our first consideration," said Guido DeCiccio, Canadian Pacific's assistant vice president of operations, in a media release. "The railway appreciates the care and effort of Senator Seward and his office in resolving this matter, as well as the support of the two communities."
Although Canadian Pacific has agreed to fix the bridge, and the funding appears to be in place with Sewards's announcement, county Rep. Donald Lindberg, R-Worcester, said the wait has been frustrating.
"The railroad should have been made to do this months ago. People count on the infrastructure," Lindberg said. We know it's not safe."
Lindberg, who praised Seward for his assistance, said the sooner the bridge gets fixed the better. However, he said, if the bridge were to be repaired when there is a risk of wintry weather, that could prove problematic for school buses and area residents detouring on steep roads around the site.
"I don't care who gets the glory as long we get a bridge," Lindberg said.
Jake Palmateer can be reached at 432-1000 or (800) 721-1000, ext. 221, or at jpalmateer@thedailystar.com.
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