Route 34B bridge construction resumes

Last month, construction resumed on the Route 34B bridge running over Salmon Creek in Lansing, with expected completion in just a couple months. The project has been in progress since before the pandemic hit and has seen numerous delays over the past couple of years.

According to the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), prior to new construction, the Route 34B bridge had “numerous yellow and red flags” going back over 10 years (tinyurl.com/y3ntv6mc). Curtis Jetter, NYSDOT Region 3 public information officer, explained just how important the bridge project is.

“The bridge needs to be replaced,” he said. “We’ve closed the bridge for emergency repairs a few times over the past five years. So, the bridge was due for replacement. So, it’s a project that we wanted to get done as quickly as possible. We got it onto our program as quickly as we could.”

Back in September of last year, Tompkins Weekly spoke with Jetter in regard to state infrastructure funding (tinyurl.com/y6bum8ju), when he mentioned that some challenges related to COVID-19 had unfortunately delayed the originally projected completion date for the project. Jetter provided further details for this story.

“COVID caused supply chain delays,” he said. “So, we had some issues with getting steel fabrication and steel deliveries, which slowed us putting the framework of the bridge in place. And then, once that delayed us and got us off schedule, it was like a snowball effect. So, because we weren’t able to get the steel fabricated, the steel delivered on time, thus, we weren’t able to pour the concrete for the bridge before winter came.”

Jetter added that it’s generally understood in the construction community that “pouring concrete in the spring and summer months is way better” than in winter.

“So, for such an important structure and important project, the decision was made that we will not pour concrete in the winter,” he said. “So, we shut down construction for the winter months and restarted construction when the weather got nicer.”

Jetter said workers are aiming to wrap up the project by “probably early July.”

“Basically, we just need to pour the concrete deck of the bridge,” he said late last month. “So, we’re hoping to do that as early as next week. Everything, of course, is weather contingent. … Weather would mean a quicker end to the project. So, let’s hope we get some good weather so we can pour the concrete deck for the bridge. And soon after we get the deck poured, we can open the bridge.”

Jetter added some perspective on the scope of this project versus others in the area.

“It’s a major bridge replacement, so it’s definitely a larger project as opposed to a paving project, which you see throughout our six-county region,” he said. “It’s certainly one of the bigger projects we’ve done in our region recently, but it pales in comparison to the [Route] 81 projects.”

So far, Jetter said he hasn’t heard much feedback from the community on the project, but he knows residents are appreciative.

“I think people, they understand the situation we’re in,” he said. “They understand the importance of doing the projects correctly. So, in all honesty, we haven’t heard much from [elected officials] or the public about the project at all.”

Jetter said he’s grateful for the community’s support.

“We clearly appreciate the patience of the community, the patience of the school district, particularly, because they were impacted more than anybody, having to reroute your buses and everything,” he said. “But the community’s been great. They’re very understanding of this project. I think they understand the importance of the project. And it was done for the safety of the community. So, I think that’s why there’s so much understanding and patience with DOT to get this project done.”

Fortunately, in recent months, pandemic-related challenges have lessened considerably, so no further construction delays are expected. As Jetter put it, “We’re so close to the finish line now that we should be good.”

Those with questions about the project are encouraged to contact the NYSDOT Region 3 office at (315) 428-4351.

Lansing at Large appears every Wednesday in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@VizellaMedia.com.

In brief:

Library fundraiser

Show your support for the Lansing Community Library May 13 at 11 a.m. at the Hatfield Chicken BBQ. Organized by the Friends of the Community Library, the event will raise money to support the library and its activities. Food will be served at the Bob Baker BBQ pit by the ballfields. For more details, visit tinyurl.com/yxnn599p.

Tai chi classes

Tai chi classes, taught by John Burger from Lifelong, are back! Classes are held on Fridays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Lansing Community Center (located next door to the library). Classes are free and open to the general public. Suggested donation is $5. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing.

Tai chi promotes balance, flexibility and coordination and reduces pain. It is also known to lower the risk of falls, increase energy levels, enhance sleep and reduce stress and anxiety. Using precise, fluid movements, tai chi will dissolve tension, increase your strength and cardiovascular fitness and leave you with a greater awareness, calmness and overall sense of wholeness. Learn more at tinyurl.com/y6jjbrzq.