Published: October 21, 2009 01:34 am      

ROYALTON: Traffic detoured as Cedar St. span is rebuilt

ROYALTON — The little bridge over Tonawanda Creek that connects Niagara County to Erie County could cause big headaches for commuters for the next nine months.

Reconstruction has begun on the Cedar Street Bridge connecting Foot Road in Royalton to Cedar Street in Newstead in Erie County. The project will cost the county $1.9 million, and the work is expected to be completed June 15, according to Mike Tracy of the Niagara County Highway Department.

“Why are they shutting it down in October? Why did the state let it go that long?” asked Debbie Keihl of Middleport, who uses the road daily for her job as a self-employed bookkeeper and accountant. Most of her accounts are in Erie County, and she estimates the bridge is used by Niagara County residents more than Erie County residents.

Keihl is pleased the bridge is going to be replaced, but she wonders why work was started in the fall.

She is concerned the work may not be completed on time because of traditionally poor weather in the winter and the span’s location in a floodplain in the spring.

According to County Legislator Michael A. Hill, American Recovery and Reinvestment projects had to be shovel-ready and work had to begin in 60 to 90 days. Niagara County was one of the first in the state to present a wish list, Hill added. The money is being funneled through the governor.

Hill explained that county engineers plan for bridges to deteriorate after several years, and the Cedar Street Bridge needed work sooner than expected.

Royalton Highway Superintendent Terry Nieman said, “It’s a stimulus job. They had it in the plans for 2010, and now they’ve thrown it on the front burner.”

On June 11, Gov. David A. Paterson announced $7.9 million in stimulus funding for Western New York, including $3.3 million in funding for a $4.1 million project to replace the Cedar Street Bridge.

The Niagara County Legislature approved the replacement construction project award Sept. 1. The bridge is the joint responsibility of Niagara and Erie counties.

The work will be done by Hohl Industries and Abate Engineering. Repairs were made about four years ago, and the bridge was shut down for about five months, then, according to Keihl.

Keihl estimates the closing causes a detour of about 5 miles. Drivers will go over Fisk Road to Wolcottsville Road and then to Route 93.

“Its a total inconvenience to shut it down,” she said. “But give them credit, they know it needs replacement and they’re replacing it. You’ve got to fix it or eliminate it.”

Contact reporter Bill Wolcott at 439-9222, ext. 6246.