44°
At Tuesday nights New Castle Town Board meeting, Town Supervisor Barbara Gerrard discussed the long and difficult construction process on the Chappaqua Bridge, which, she said, will hopefully no longer be a headache by the end of the year. The stone bridge crosses over Route 120 and into the heart of the downtown area.
(The contractor) has been working feverishly all 2011, and we finally are beginning to see the fruits of their labors and our frustrations, said Gerrard. Although it has been a difficult time for all our residents, enduring countless delays, chassis shattering potholes, and all-round inconvenience, we really are truly fortunate that town staff and leaders worked for three years to get commitments for all the enhancements and features people are beginning to see unfold.
Gerrard said that bridges initial budget, which was around $20 million, will likely be exceeded. The bill, however, will be paid for with federal and state funds.
Due to budget issues and lawsuits, the project also took longer than expected. The bridge is now estimated to take 36 months to complete, rather than the 24 the town originally planned.
What really matters is the ultimate product, said Gerrard. Our sincerest hopes are that come the holidays, the bridge will be dedicated and become a proud symbol of New Castle.
Last week, the south side pedestrian sidewalk opened. The north side sidewalk, which includes connection to the Hunts Place slip lane, is currently being worked on.
Decorative lampposts have also been installed on the south side of the bridge, and some landscaping will be done, next week. While most of the planting near the bridge will be done in the spring, some will be planted before Thanksgiving.
The report can read in its entirety on the Towns website.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Chappaqua and receive free news updates.
