Route 54 bridge replacement is underway

BARRINGTON—If you drive on Route 54 between Penn Yan and Hammondsport, watch out for the replacement bridge going up in Barrington.
The New York State Department of Transportation is replacing the bridge over Eggleston Creek, one-tenth of a mile south of Camp Arey Road. Fran Haradon, project engineer, said work started with setup, Monday, Aug. 9.
The temporary bridge is expected to be completed within two to three weeks. He explained if work goes according to plan, the new bridge should be open by November. Haradon added that top course surfacing and new lane striping will be done next spring, 2011.
Right now, work crews are preparing to install a temporary bridge, west of and right next to the current bridge. Haradon said once the temporary bridge is up, traffic will use that so the current bridge can be replaced.
Haradon explained the temporary bridge, called a “maybe bridge,” is the same style the military uses. Workers are now preparing the ground so the road can veer west onto the where the bridge will be. He explained when the bridge parts arrive, it will be bolted together and slid out over the creek. He said the speed on the temporary bridge will be reduced, but the exact limit will be determined after the bridge is installed.
Haradon said the current bridge is old, deteriorating and needs to go. He added the project costs approximately $1.1 million.
He said people should slow down, both when the temporary bridge is up, and now because there are workers out on the side of the road. Traffic will be alerted of the temporary bridge with road signs after it is installed.