The Route 18 bridge in the town of North Harmony. Submitted photo

The new Route 18 Bridge over the Prendergast Creek in the town of North Harmony has reopened to traffic.

The bridge replacement was completed successfully within the scheduled five-month construction period. The county recognized the “excellent contractor performance” by Union Concrete & Construction Corporation and Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. Engineering, to overcome the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic to get the infrastructure project completed.

“The existing structure was replaced due to deficiencies in the old bridge’s steel girders, concrete decking, and bridge abutments,” said Brad Bentley, Chautauqua County director of public facilities. “The bridge railings also needed to be upgraded to conform to current standards. With the replacement bridge in place, the new CR 18 Bridge has a safe crossing with no structural deficiencies and is expected to have a service life of 50 to 75 years.”