State wants to hear from residents

PENN YAN—A public information meeting regarding replacement of the Route 14A bridge over the Keuka Outlet in Penn Yan has been scheduled at 6 p.m. Aug. 25 in the Penn Yan Village Hall on Elm Street. An informal open house will be at 5:30 p.m.
The meeting is being conducted by New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). It will provide interested parties with information regarding the scheduled project. During meetings earlier this year NYSDOT sought input from village officials and residents on proposed detours during construction and plans have been made for detour routes through the heavily trafficked area. The Main Street bridge, one block to the east, will be the primary detour route across the outlet.
The state determined the bridge is in need of total replacement and early options offered were to close half of the bridge at a time or to close it completely during replacement. The decision was made to close it totally.
The span will be closed for approximately six months, from fall 2011 to spring 2012. Construction is been planned during fall and winter months to  after the heavy summer traffic season ends. Although work is scheduled after summer, traffic delays will be expected. Penn Yan fire department is exploring the possibility of locating some of their apparatus at a site south of the bridge to avoid delays in response to emergencies.
The meeting room is handicap accessible. Assistance for people with hearing disabilities will be provided by the state, if requested. Requests should be made to the office of the Regional Director, New York State department of Transportation, 107 Broadway, Hornell NY 14843 by Aug. 23. Requests for information about the meeting and the project should be directed to Donald Sweezy, Regional Design Engineer, NYSDOT, at 607-324-8438.