August 14, 2007

Ranzenhofer announces funding for repair of Akron-Crittenden Bridge

(Akron, New York) – The State of New York Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has placed a "Red Structural Flag" on the Akron-Crittenden Bridge that crosses over Murder Creek. The New York State Department of Transportation defines a "Red Structural Flag" condition as one which reports the actual or imminent failure of a major structural component of a bridge, and requires prompt or short-term corrective or protective action to assure safety. Upon "red flagging" the bridge, the NYSDOT requested that Erie County officials inform them, in writing, of their plans for remedying the bridge.

In response to the NYSDOT findings, the County Executive sent a resolution to the Legislature to award bridge repair contracts for the Akron-Crittenden Road Bridge and other defective bridges so the work could be done during the Legislature's summer recess. In response to the Administration's request, the Legislature Majority sent the resolution to committee and went on vacation. Commissioner Loffredo then declared that repairs would not be made until 2008.

In response to the Legislature's Majority inaction, Legislator Ranzenhofer asked Department of Public Works Commissioner John C. Loffredo and Chief Highway Engineer Charles Sickler to send an urgent message to the County Executive requesting a declaration of public emergency. Legislator Ranzenhofer explained that "a declaration of emergency opens the door for funding that will enable repairs to take place immediately." The County Executive responded to the Department of Public Work's request immediately by declaring that the recommended repair of the Akron-Crittenden Road Bridge constituted a public emergency. Pursuant to the duties and powers reserved for the County Executive under the Erie County Administrative Code, Section 3.07, in Paragraph B, a public emergency was declared. The County Executive and Department of Public Works officials, along with Legislator Ranzenhofer, then worked with the Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority to get the item on its August 14, 2007 agenda. "This declaration led to the approval of a $385,000 emergency purchase order to UCC Constructors to pay for the bridge repairs. It was necessary, and I would like to personally thank Department of Public Works Commissioner John C. Loffredo and Erie County Chief Highway Engineer Charles Sickler for responding to my request. These men are truly public servants," said Legislator Ranzenhofer.

The final step was to allocate the appropriate funding and have the construction contract approved by the Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority. Since the ECFSA entered their "hard" control period, it is required that all contracts in excess of $50,000 meet their approval. ECFSA Executive Director Kenneth J. Vetter was notified of the need for approval and of the urgency this matter required. He quickly acted to bring the funding request to the attention of the ECFSA Commissioners. "Ken did a great job in helping the residents of Newstead and getting this contract approved quickly, I can't thank him enough," said Legislator Ranzenhofer.

With a public emergency declared and funds already identified and approved for the bridge's repair, Public Works officials expect that the Akron-Crittenden Bridge will be repaired before the conclusion of the 2007 construction season and not next year. "After the majority in the Legislature refused to act, I was pleased to see all levels of Erie County government come together, so quickly, and so efficiently to solve a problem. Our collective solution will benefit the community and ensure their safety," concluded Legislator Ranzenhofer.

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