Lift bridge project brings state spending to $26 million on canal bridges in Orleans

Photo by Tom Rivers: Mike Dodson, an engineer with the state Department of Transportation, discusses the upcoming Main Street lift bridge project with Liz Groat, president of the Downtown Browsery.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 October 2019 at 8:00 am

Main Street lift bridge at $15 million, 7 others at $11 million

ALBION – The state Department of Transportation discussed a planned overhaul of the Main Street lift bridge during an open house at Hoag Library on Thursday.

The bridge is expected to be closed for 18 months beginning in 2022 for a $15 million rehabilitation project.

The project is part of $26 million the state is spending on canal bridges in the county from 2018 to 2023. The state is also spending $11 million to fix and strengthen seven truss bridges.

The state is spending $70 million on canal bridges in Orleans, Monroe and Wayne counties during the time period, said Jordan Guerrein, public information officer for the DOT. That includes major work on lift bridges in Albion, Brockport, Spencerport and Fairport, as well as several truss bridges in Wayne County.

The Main Street lift bridge in Albion was originally built in 1914. The DOT plans to put in a new flooring system, and upgrade the mechanical and electrical components of the lifting mechanisms. The lift tower will also be rehabilitated.

The bridge will stay in an upright position during the construction project. Pedestrians will have to cross at the nearby Ingersoll Street lift bridge.

Most local traffic will be rerouted to Ingersoll, with the official posted detour pushing truck traffic to Route 387 in Fancher.

DOT officials heard from residents during the meeting about concerns with increased traffic in the nearby neighborhoods, and worry about the impact on the downtown businesses with motorists being diverted from Main Street.

Guerrein, the DOT spokesman, said there is a chance the project could be completed sooner than 18 months. The DOT expects to learn from the major rehab projects that just started with the lift bridges in Spencerport and Fairport. Those insights should help the DOT when the Albion and Brockport projects start in 2022.

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