June 27, 2007

RANZENHOFER REPORTS ON AKRON BRIDGE MAINTENANCE

(Akron, New York) Erie County Legislator Michael H. Ranzenhofer has recently received an update from Engineers in the Department of Public Work's Highway division on the status of maintenance and repairs being made to the Crittenden Road and Parkview Road Bridges. Highway Department Engineers informed Legislator Ranzenhofer that the New York State Department of Transportation conducted a bi-annual audit on all of the bridges within the State. Ranzenhofer reported that "at the conclusion of the state's audit, recommendations were made to our County Highway Department involving upgrades and repairs that need to occur to keep both Crittenden Road and Parkview Road bridges functional and safe."

State engineers placed a "red flag" on the Crittenden Road Bridge, meaning it requires immediate attention because of a structural defect. County engineers have examined the bridge and agree with the state's "red flag" classification. After speaking with County engineers, Legislator Ranzenhofer reported that "the county has hired an engineering firm to examine the structural defects of the bridge and report back on the best way to make long term repairs to the bridge." Clough Harbour Engineering has been retained by the county for $9500.00 to perform an audit of the bridge and provide recommendations on how best to repair it. Charlie Sickler, chief engineer with the County Highway Department, said "as of right now we are aware that the Crittenden Road Bridge will require steel reinforcing and plating and we are waiting further recommendations from Clough Harbour." The Crittenden Road Bridge project carries an estimated repair cost of $50,000. Once Clough Harbour Engineering concludes their evaluation, the Erie County Commissioner of Public Works will select a contractor, off of an emergency maintenance bid book list, to perform the work. It is estimated that the work will take 3 - 4 weeks to complete and the County would like to complete the project before schools re-open in September.

Commenting on the repair and maintenance progress of the Parkview Bridge, Ranzenhofer said "99% of the design work for this project is complete and the County is currently in discussions with the federal government to allocate the necessary funding to begin making the needed repairs." The Parkview Bridge has required maintenance for the last few years, and funding has been requested in both the 2006 and 2007 County budgets. Full funding never materialized, which forced the County Department of Public Works to find alternate funding through a Federal Highway Administration Grant. Erie County has been informed that the Parkview Road Bridge repair and maintenance project fits the criteria for the federal grant and the county's application for the funding has been approved. Sickler remarked that "this grant will cover 80% of the project cost, leaving only a 20% local share, 15% of which is paid by the State, and 5% by Erie County." The County Department of Public Works plans to open this project up for a bid on December 15, 2008, and repairs and maintenance are scheduled to take place during the 2009 construction season.

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