Tompkins Weekly

Route 34B bridge safe, one-way for a month



An Oct. 7 New York State Department of Transportation (NYS DOT) travel advisory reducing weight limits on the Route 34B bridge over Salmon Creek to 18 tons and mandating one-way alternating traffic on the bridge has raised concerns among Lansing residents regarding the bridge’s safety and the delays and inconvenience generated by the traffic restrictions on the bridge.

“It’s my understanding from the state that the bridge is safe for all vehicles under the 18-ton restriction,” said Tompkins County Legislator Mike Sigler. “Right now, the contractor is installing scaffolding in preparation for the needed repairs. The Department of Transportation anticipates the bridge being open to normal traffic in about a month.”

Traffic on the bridge was reduced to nine tons per vehicle on Oct. 4 when a routine bridge inspection revealed that steel repairs were needed on the 500-foot-long arch bridge, according to the travel advisory.

Limits were increased to 18 tons with alternating one-way operation on Oct. 7 due to concerns about school bus operation raised by the Lansing Schools.

The bridge is closed to vehicles over 18 tons – those must continue to use detours on routes 34 and 90 around the bridge until the intermediate repairs are completed.

The bridge was built in 1930 and carries approximately 7,700 vehicles per day. Replacement of the bridge is still scheduled for 2021, with demolition beginning in late winter and early spring of that year, according to Lansing Town Supervisor Ed LaVigne.

A New York State Highway Bridge Data report on Sept. 30 notes that the Route 34B bridge over Salmon Creek’s condition is currently rated as poor; the bridge over Salmon Creek in Ludlowville is also rated as poor, while the Myers Road bridge over the creek is rated as not poor.

In brief:

HeatSmart Community Presentation at All Saints

HeatSmart Tompkins will present eco-friendly ways to heat homes and businesses using heat pumps on Oct. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at All Saints Church, 347 Ridge Rd. in Lansing.

Kids’ Halloween Dance Party Oct. 19

A Halloween dance party for children hosted by Lansingville Firemen’s Ladies Auxiliary will be held Oct. 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Lansing Fire Station No. 3, 1235 Ridge Rd. in Lansing.

Music will be by DJ Rick Uhl.

There will be games from 6 to 7:30 p.m., free snacks and punch, and pizza slices for $1. Admission is $3 for children 3 years and older, and younger children will be free. All children must be chaperoned by an adult at all times. All are encouraged to wear costumes. For more information, call Barb (315) 497-3408 or Angy (607) 592-7160.

Lansing High Fall Drama: “One Act Coffeehouse”

The Lansing High School Drama Club will present three one-act plays for its Fall Drama Oct. 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lansing High School Cafeteria.
The plays will be “Sure Thing” by David Ives, “13 Ways to Screw up Your College Interview” by Ian McWendy and the comedy “10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse.”

Halloween Boat Ride

Discover Cayuga Lake is hosting a family-friendly Halloween haunted boat ride on Oct. 19 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. There’ll be games, a scavenger hunt, spooky stories, costume contests, prizes and more. Fun for the entire family. Special individual and family rates available.

Pre-registration required at www.discovercayugalake.org. Participants should dress appropriate for outdoor activity and space is limited.

“Sewing Saints” to Gather Nov. 15

The All Saints Chapter of Days for Girls, the “Sewing Saints” will come together Nov. 15 and 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to prepare feminine hygiene kits for women around the world.

In more than 100 countries, a shortage of feminine hygiene products means that a woman’s menstrual period represents one week from every month lost from school or work, and isolation from their community. This project is part of the “Days for Girls” organization’s efforts to get that week back.

All are welcome to come and help – no sewing skills are required. For more information, go to “Days for Girls” on Facebook.

Toddler Soccer Returns

“Toddler Soccer” for children aged 3 to 5 years will be held Saturdays from 9 to 9:45 a.m. on Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23 and Dec. 7 and 14 in the R.C. Buckley Elementary School gymnasium.

The program will focus on promoting the game of soccer in a fun and friendly environment and using creative games to teach basic soccer skills. It will be coached by Lansing Varsity Girls Soccer Coach Eric Stickel, who will be assisted by some of his varsity players.

The cost is $40 and includes weekly instruction and a t-shirt. For more information, go to lansingrec.recdesk.com/Community/Home.

Book Sale

The Lansing Community Library will hold its fall book sale Nov. 15 from 3 to 6 p.m. and Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the library.

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