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04/13/2016 03:57 PMThe state's plans to replace the Sybil Creek Bridge have been delayed from an intended fall 2016 through spring 2017 construction schedule; and won't get underway until at least 2017, and possibly later.
About this time last year, the state Department of Transportation came to town with news of the bridge and floodgate replacement. The DOT's April 21, 2015 hearing drew a crowd of about 50 locals including residents, neighborhood association representatives, and business owners, who wanted to weigh in on the changes.
The DOT plans to widen the Route 146 bridge to double its size and add sidewalks. The six-month project will bring periods of one-lane traffic, and up to two weeks of no access during span replacement. A three-mile detour route, via Route 146, Pine Orchard Road and Hotchkiss Grove Road, is planned for when the bridge is out. The$2.8 million project will be paid by state and federal funds.
The residents and business owners who came out to give the DOT project input last year mainly pointed to a notorious sight line problem on the Sybil Avenue approach (just past the former Ballou's). The residents were concerned to learn the bridge replacement plan doesn't call for extending the bridge sidewalk to a safe point on Sybil Avenue. All of the bridge widening will be concentrated on the other side of the road; and will incorporate some of the land lying between Lenny's Indian Head Inn restaurant and Sybil Creek (currently employee parking). That side of the bridge will include a sidewalk running toward E. McHenry's Irish Pub on Linden Avenue. See the full story here
Last week, Plaziak told Zip06 the most recent email she has received from the DOT said the state is "awaiting authorization to begin final design." That translates to construction beginning at the earliest in 2017; and possibly later, said Plaziak.