Town of Lansing now home to nationally recognized bridge

The bridge spanning picturesque Salmon Creek on New York Route 34B in Lansing was awarded a “bridge merit” award, as part of the larger slate of decorations presented by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) and the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA).

Judges with the AISC and the NSBA praised the bridge’s renovation project from 2022 as an achievement in engineering and attention to detail. The medium-span bridge runs for 500 feet along the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake and has been deemed by state officials an integral part of the popular Cayuga Lake wine trail. 

The roadway links the city of Ithaca to the city of Auburn, running between Cayuga Lake and Owasco Lake in the state’s Finger Lakes region. State officials estimate that the bridge carries almost 7,500 vehicles a day. It is located along important bus routes for Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit and the Lansing Central School District campus, located just south of the bridge.

The bridge was remodeled in summer 2022. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the project’s completion that July, noting that the remodel signified a state investment of around $18.4 million. As part of the project, the state Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) replaced the original 1930 structure with a modern, steel-rigid frame. 

The new bridge spans 500 feet, sits 120 feet above Salmon Creek and expands the width of the bridge from approximately 29 feet to 40 feet. State officials say it is the longest structure in New York State that utilizes the slanted steel leg support style. 

The renovated bridge integrates seamlessly with the natural environment around  Salmon Creek. It incorporates 8-foot-wide shoulders, providing additional room for disabled vehicles and pedestrians and cyclists.  

“This award-winning bridge is a testament to New York’s dedication to innovation and the pursuit of excellence as we continue to prioritize infrastructure for all modes of travel,” Gov. Hochul said this week in a press release. “As a vital transportation link in the Southern Tier, the Route 34B bridge significantly enhances connectivity, sustainability and accessibility while supporting tourism and economic development throughout the Southern Tier.”

A statement from the AISC on its website highlighted NYSDOT’s work in maintaining the bridge’s original essence.

“The new bridge keeps the aesthetic spirit of the historic bridge it replaced but takes advantage of modern 50 [kilopounds per square inch] weathering steel for an expected century-long service life,” the statement reads.

Dani Friedland, director of communications for the AISC, said that judges saw the project as a great combination of new design and a classic, emblematic aesthetic.

“The judges were impressed that the NYSDOT team designed it in-house, too,” Friedland said.

NYSDOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said in a press release that the department was pleased and honored to receive the award.

“I was there the day the bridge opened and have heard from the community how much they value this investment,” Dominguez said. “This bridge clearly demonstrates the vision and hard work of our dedicated team of bridge designers and engineers at New York State DOT who truly enhance the lives of New Yorkers through the work that they do, fundamentally connecting our communities and keeping people safe.”

Newly appointed Tompkins County Legislature Chair Dan Klein noted that the bridge was “beautiful” and a vital part of local infrastructure.

“Residents and visitors who drive over it every day are grateful for the New York state funding that enabled it to be constructed,” Klein added.

Lansing at Large appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com. Contact Eddie Velazquez at edvel37@gmail.com or on X (formerly Twitter) @ezvelazquez.

In brief:

A program brought on by the Internal Revenue Service, Cornell University and the Tompkins County Public Library is helping to provide free tax preparation services to county residents. 

As part of the program, dubbed the Tompkins Area Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), residents may choose a self-preparation option and can use a free software with Zoom sessions to assist with filing scattered throughout tax season.

Tompkins Area VITA will also support a drop-off and pick-up option, where residents upload tax documents and answer questions about their earnings. 

County residents who may not have the option to participate in an online tax prep program can call 211 or 877-211-8667 to make an appointment. The often hour-long appointment is held at the county library at 101 E. Green St. in Ithaca.

More information on the program can be found here: https://sites.google.com/view/cornellfreetax