I don’t know if you have observed it, but it looks to me like there are at least double the number of people as usual now working on the Chautauqua Lake bridge. It is obvious that the contractor is taking advantage of the good weather and reconstruction work is ramping up.

What you see visually is that new decking is proceeding on the south side of the bridge coming from both ends of the bridge towards the middle. I don’t know all of the engineering reasons, but it seems to make common sense, as this is the way the original bridge was built, i.e. after the girders were placed, the decking and concrete paving started from both sides of the bridge moving towards the middle.

It seems that many of the additional people now on the bridge are painters. To reduce corrosion, the girders and steel work are being painted. They had not been painted before.

The bright, shiny steel surface that is now visible is what I would call the “sub-decking.” It is the “floor,” if you will, upon which rebar followed by concrete will be laid.

This past week, the lighted signs on either side of the bridge have indicated that the bridge will be closed from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. on certain nights. Such closures are needed when the current open two-lanes are required to bring in steel, concrete or other materials needed in the reconstruction. Some of this current night work is related to the continuing job of pouring special, corrosion-resistant concrete where the girders meet the supporting columns.

As to the night closures, I give credit to the DOT and contractor for alerting the public. As I never go over the bridge in the middle of the night, it doesn’t affect me. But, a trucker heading from Chicago to Boston who may want to use I-86 in the middle of the night needs to know when the bridge is going to be closed.

The DOT hasn’t announced it, but it would appear that the original idea of replacing the two lanes on the south side of the bridge first…and then shifting construction to two lanes on the north side is now being followed. One must assume that the last decking to be laid will be on the arched, center section of the bridge.

My wife has asked me, periodically, why I write so much about the bridge. I have tried to explain that I think it is a “guy” thing. Things mechanical, construction-related with engineering challenges have always engaged my interest. Whatever the reason, the whole project continues to interest me.

The cost, obviously, is going to be substantial. I cannot but think that there have been many change orders and unexpected repairs needed. Also, working nights, overtime, and some weekends adds additional expense. The “jury is still out,” but I would think that the deep-thinkers at the DOT in Albany are hoping that the reconstruction of the Chautauqua Lake Bridge doesn’t break their Interstate Highway budget.

If it does, it is for a good cause. We who live here and daily use this bridge realize that it has become an integral part of our community life. It has united communities which for years were separated by a 20-mile-long barrier of water.

As to the bikeway/walkway study being sought in connection with the bridge’s reconstruction, verbal communication with our Congressman’s office indicates that funds for this program were discontinued in 2023…so the prospects for such a study don’t look good.

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.