subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Tue, Feb 09 2010 

Published: October 21, 2009 01:34 am    print this story  

ROYALTON: Traffic detoured as Cedar St. span is rebuilt

By Bill Wolcott
E-mail Bill

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

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.

print this story  

Photos


JOE EBERLE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Royalton, NY - Motorists using the Cedar St. bridge, crossing Tonawanda Creek will be getting a new bridge. The ailing bridge has been removed and work has begun replacing the structure. Work will continue throughout the winter and the new span should be in service around June of next year. Detours are in place around the closed road. None/ (Click for larger image)


JOE EBERLE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Royalton, NY - Motorists using the Cedar St. bridge, crossing Tonawanda Creek will be getting a new bridge. The ailing bridge has been removed and work has begun replacing the structure. Work will continue throughout the winter and the new span should be in service around June of next year. Detours are in place around the closed road. None/ (Click for larger image)


JOE EBERLE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Royalton, NY - Motorists using the Cedar St. bridge, crossing Tonawanda Creek will be getting a new bridge. The ailing bridge has been removed and work has begun replacing the structure. Work will continue throughout the winter and the new span should be in service around June of next year. Detours are in place around the closed road. None/ (Click for larger image)


JOE EBERLE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Royalton, NY - Motorists using the Cedar St. bridge, crossing Tonawanda Creek will be getting a new bridge. The ailing bridge has been removed and work has begun replacing the structure. Work will continue throughout the winter and the new span should be in service around June of next year. Detours are in place around the closed road. None/ (Click for larger image)



autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Featured Jobs

Counselor
COUNSELOR, PART-TIME: NIAGARA COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE is seeking a part-time counselor in student services to work in t...>MORE

Nurses
NURSES: RN - Endoscopy, PT days. Up to $5000 sign on bonus; Nurse Manager - Primary Care, FT, NYS LPN or RN license with...>MORE

General Laborer
GENERAL LABORER to do yard work, pick papers etc. Competitive wages, 401k and medical. Apply Allied Waste Scale House, 5...>MORE

Physical, Occupational & Speech Language Therapist
Physical, Occupational
& Speech Language Therapist
Fee for service positions providing community based early
...>MORE

Assistant Director
Catholic Charities has an excellent professional development opportunity available for the following position:
 Ass
...>MORE

Medical Associate
MEDICAL ASSOCIATE
Busy local Niagara Falls practice, strong computer skills, billing background helpful, $13-$14/ho
...>MORE

FLOOR MAINTENANCE
Floor Maintenance, 3rd shift, exp. in stripping & waxing need only apply, f/t & p/t, 632-2259 ...>MORE

MST Therapist
Catholic Charities has an excellent professional development opportunity available for the following position:
    
...>MORE

Home Care Aide
HomeCare Aide Certified Only. 3 overnights, transportation needed, $9.50-$11.50/hr. 298-4342 ...>MORE

Culinary Arts
Culinary Arts (Baking and Pastry Instructor) NIAGARA COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE is seeking applications for part-time inst...>MORE

See all ads

Feature Autos

Pontiac 2000 Grand Prix XL
PONTIAC 2000 Grand Prix XL, black,
good condition
531-2669
...>MORE

Ford 1999 Escort ZX2
FORD 1999 ESCORT, ZX2 Coupe, runs great, NYS inspected, exc. cond. $1650. 694-0441...>MORE

1998 Dodge Dakota Sport
DODGE 1998 Dakota Sport 3.9 V6, regular cab, exc in & out, no rust, real sharp, $2750. 523-7102...>MORE

Dodge 2001 Neon
DODGE 2001Neon, 4 dr, 4 cyl, auto, 58k mi. am/fm CD player, n o rust, like new, $3950. 525-7796...>MORE

1991 Lincoln Executive Town Car
LINCOLN 1991 Executive Town Car, 42k miles, no rust, runs, needs work, $600. 990-8895....>MORE

Ford 1997 Taurus
FORD 1997 taurus, runs exc. fully loaded, must see $1400 or best offer. 205-7711...>MORE

Chrysler 2000 Concord LXI,
Chrysler 2000 Concord LXI, 4 door, one owner, exc. condition, power windows, power steering, power locks, $5000 or best ...>MORE

See all ads

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index