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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE01-25

June 29, 2001

Contact: Geoff Ryan (718/595-6600)

Construction Schedule Set For North Bushkill Bridge On 28A

Commissioner Joel A. Miele Sr., P.E., of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today a schedule for the interim reconstruction of the North Bushkill Bridge on Route 28A in the Town of Olive. The bridge was abruptly taken out of service on Friday, June 1st, per order of the New York State Department of Transportation, when inspectors discovered that a pier supporting the bridge superstructure had shifted. Despite DEP's efforts to shore up the bridge, it was determined that the weakened structure still posed a threat to vehicular traffic.

Commissioner Miele said, "Design of the interim reconstruction is already underway, and we have developed an aggressive schedule for construction work. Physical work is scheduled to start around August 1st and be completed on or about October 1st.

"I regret any inconvenience this may cause users of the North Bushkill Bridge," said Commissioner Miele, "but safety must be our prime consideration. I am pleased to say, however, that when we construct a new bridge, starting in late 2004, at least one lane of traffic will be open at all times throughout the construction period.

The North and South Bushkill Bridges, just upstream from the Ashokan Reservoir, were built around 1913 as part of the project that created the reservoir. The City's responsibility for maintenance of this and other bridges along Route 28A dates back to that period.

DEP has scheduled most of its upstate bridges for reconstruction or major improvements as part of a continuing program to upgrade infrastructure throughout the Water Supply System. The new and renovated bridges will conform to modern highway engineering and safety standards and will accommodate today's traffic and vehicles, which are dramatically different from those of the early 1900s.

 

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