Repairs on old Route 219 high-level bridge expedited by DOT

New York State Department of Transportation representative Susan Surdej announced Jan. 31 that the bridge spanning Cattaraugus Creek on the old Route 219 is expected to re-open this April.

According to Springville Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kate Moody, the DOT has “invoked a statewide emergency contract for bridge repairs and will immediately begin preparations for the replacement of the frozen abutment bearings.” Over the next few weeks, the NYSDOT will be expediting the process, with the contractor’s completing shop drawings and ordering the bearings and equipment, “so that it will be a few weeks before we see anyone actually on the bridge beginning repairs,” Moody said.

New York Senator Catharine Young called the bridge’s expected re-opening a “tremendous relief to residents and small businesses,” and said that she was encouraged by Governor Andrew Cuomo’s and the DOT’s swift response to her request for a quick review. “They did a terrific job in expediting the structural analysis,” she added.

Moody reminded local residents to continue to “shop local” at the businesses affected by the bridge’s temporary closing. “This is a victory in that we now know that the bridge will be repaired and reopened,” she said, “however, the victory will be hollow if we lose even one business in the months ahead. Shop locally!”

The chamber will be holding a meeting for affected business owners on Feb. 8 at Apple Dumplin’ Restaurant at 7 p.m.

A “Save our Bridge” rally scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 4 was canceled following this announcement.