Plans under way for 2008 bridge work

by Donna M. Webb
Grand Island Dispatch, June 22, 2007

These three representatives from the NYS Thruway Authority attended the June 15 meeting of the Grand Island Bridge Committee to talk about the planned re-decking project for the northbound south bridge. Seated from left to right are Tom Pericak, acting Buffalo division director; Mark Horschel, senior project manager; and George White; traffic supervisor.

Summertime is here, and you know what that means – construction projects and traffic tie-ups. However, there’s a reprieve for Grand Island bridge commuters this summer. Bridge repairs won’t begin here until 2008.

Plans are now in the works for a redecking project on the northbound South Grand Island bridge. With that in mind, on June 15, more than 20 people gathered at Town Hall for the second meeting of the Grand Island Bridge Committee.

The committee had previously put together a list of concerns regarding the redecking project; State Thruway representatives responded to each of these in turn at the meeting. Local, county and state officials were well represented at the session, hoping for a good word on how the impact on area commuters can be minimized.

Work Scheduled at Night

To keep traffic delays to a minimum, the decking project will only be worked on overnight – specifically from the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., Monday through Friday.

Thruway officials want the deck work to be done all in one construction season. “We’re still hopeful that it will be completed in 2008, but possibly not until 2009,” said Thomas Pericak, the acting Buffalo division director for the Thruway Authority.

The delay could occur if all the steel grids for the project cannot be delivered in time to get the concrete poured into them. Only three companies make the type of steel grid that will be used for the deck, and currently the lead time for this product is six months. “Unless they can get them all in time to pour the concrete and get the job done, they will delay until 2009,” Grand Island Supervisor Peter McMahon explained.

Beaver Island Ramp Would Close

Plans call for shutting down the entire northbound South Bridge while the work is being done. One lane in each direction will be used for traffic on the southbound span. George White of the Thruway Authority said that during the project, the plan is to close the Beaver Island South Parkway ramp that merges with the I-190. This was done during a previous construction project several years ago and did not result in significant problems. “The ramp isn’t used a ton during 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.,” White noted.

The contractor for this project is Bergmann Associates. “The target start date is March 2008, but it is weather-dependent,” McMahon said. When weather data for 2007 was reviewed, the committee found that 12 work days would have been lost if the redecking project had been under way at that time.

Penalties For Delays

“There will be penalties in the contract for realistic delay costs if the contractor fails to open on time,” White said. The target is to fully open both of the South bridges at 6 a.m. each weekday. The penalty will be assessed through a formula and be primarily tied to user delays. “Is that a state formula or what?” Councilwoman Mary Cooke asked. White responded that it will be one that the federal Highway Administration uses. This may potentially involve a labor cost based on how many minutes people would arrive late to work.

“We asked . . . for notification by 3 a.m. if the bridge isn’t going to be open on time,” McMahon said, explaining this would allow enough time for communication to essential parties. “On our side, we’re going to call fire dispatch, who will notify the town, school, and fire department,” he said. “We have contingency plans for emergency medical services and traffic if the bridge doesn’t open at 6 a.m.,” McMahon added.

The town would like the contractor to be responsible for costs associated with police traffic control at major intersections on the Island each time there is a failure to have both bridges open by 6 a.m. “It is a big concern,” Cook said. Thruway representatives were not sure, however, if that can be done, so the issue was tabled for now.

Reverse-911 Calls

The county has the reverse 911 system, so automated calls could be made to inform Islanders that the South Bridge is down to one lane and that drivers should consider alternatives. Variable message boards will be used to notify drivers at key intersections. White explained that the Thruway also uses an e-mail service to let customers know of unscheduled incidents that may affect their travel. “I would encourage anybody inside and outside of Grand Island to subscribe,” he added. People can sign up for this free service by going to this Web site: www.thruway.state.ny.us.

There are a number of ways that the public will be informed about the project before it actually begins. These include mailings, handouts at toll booths, and inserts in e-mails and E-ZPass statements.

In addition to McMahon and Cooke, local attendees included councilmen Dick Crawford and Gary Roesch, as well as Joanne Kud, president, and John Bonora, first vice president, of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce. A representative from both Erie County Legislator Michele Iannello’s and Assemblyman Sam Hoyt’s office also attended.