New pedestrian bridge, sidewalks along Maple Ridge Road complete
Medina mayor praises partnership among governments in getting project done
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Medina Mayor Debbie Padoleski cuts the ribbon this afternoon for a new 100-foot-long pedestrian bridge over Oak Orchard Creek.
Kevin Foster, left, is owner of RJT Construction Services in Rochester, the general contractor for the project that also included about 2,000 feet of new sidewalks.
RJT Construction Services completed the work with an $837,448 bid. Mayor Padoleski praised the company for getting the job done on time and under budget.
This group gathers on the bridge for a photograph after the ribbon cutting. Pictured from left include: Dave Pettis, engineer in charge with Barton & Loguidice; Village Clerk/Treasurer Jada Burgess; Village Trustee Jeff Wagner; Village Trustee Scott Bieliski; Gabrielle Barone, vice president of business development for Orleans Economic Development Agency; Payton Corts, regional local projects liaison for the state Department of Transportation; Michael Dobell, chief executive officer for the Orleans EDA; Jonathan Walczak, project manager for Barton & Loguidice, the village’s engineering firm for the project; Erin Foster of RJT Construction Services; Jack Foster of RJT; Mayor Debbie Padoleski; Kevin Foster of RJT; Jason Watts, superintendent of Medina’s Department of Public Works; and Philip Gow Jr., WNY regional director for Congresswoman Claudia Tenney.
The bridge intentionally has a rust-colored look. It won’t have to be repainted in the future and will require less maintenance, said Jason Watts, the DPW superintendent.
The project has been several years in the making. Padoleski noted that Mike Sidari, former Medina mayor, had the vision for the pedestrian bridge and sidewalks back in 2020.
The village in 2021 was awarded a $1,094,196 grant to construct the bridge and sidewalks as part of a multi-use path for pedestrians and bicycles. The funding was awarded by the state through a federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant.
The grant required a 20 percent local share and that was paid locally from the village ($55,000), Town of Shelby ($130,000) and Orleans County ($97,500), using their share of funds from a now closed revolving loan fund through the Orleans Economic Development Agency.
“We would like to thank the Town of Shelby, Orleans County and the IDA for participating in this project in the Village of Medina,” Padoleski said. “We would like to thank the NYS DOT for making the funds available through a grant, which allowed the expansion of the project.”
The mayor also said officials from the state Office of Community Renewal were patient and understanding with the village, extending a deadline so Medina could get everything done.
After the ribbon cutting for the bridge, some of the officials walked the 2,000-foot stretch of sidewalks for a final inspection.
The village and Orleans EDA pushed for the sidewalks as this section of Maple Ridge Road has become busier with a housing development, several new businesses and also the GCC campus center. There are also about 200 available acres in the area being promoted for development by the EDA.
