If you have driven over the Chautauqua Lake Bridge lately, there are signs that spring construction work has started.

The wooden railing along the centerline of the bridge to protect workers as they walk has been completed, cranes have started to put platform barges back into the water, and some more concrete removal has started on the south section on the Bemus side.

From what I have heard, DOT officials are hoping to finish completing the restoration of the pavement and railings on the south side of the bridge this summer. If they can achieve that goal, then next winter we would be driving on that side of the bridge and crews could start restoration on the north side.

This, of course, is contingent on a lot of good things happening.

First, the weather needs to warm up so that concrete pours can begin. Even prior to that, my understanding is

that more repairs need to be made to parts of the steel substructure of the bridge. Salt damage over the years has taken its toll, and so more steel replacement is being required than originally contemplated.

This is only my opinion, but the extended and unanticipated work being done to fix this steel substructure indicates that the state may have waited longer than it should have to address repairing the bridge.

For many summers, before this reconstruction job started, state DOT trucks were on the bridge for extended periods patching the pavement. But, obviously, it wasn’t enough. Salt damage to the bridge was happening faster than the attempts made to prevent it.

It looks to me like it is going to cost more to repair/restore the Chautauqua Lake Bridge than originally estimated, but, admittedly, that is only my opinion based upon what I have seen.

On the plus side, you have to give kudos to the DOT for keeping I-86 open during this long bridge repair project. There have been relatively few accidents or incidents on the two-lanes now being used…though they are quite narrow and restricted. The biggest risk to traffic happens when drivers exceed the reduced speed limit.

It is obvious that there is a lot more truck traffic on the bridge now than there was when it originally opened in 1982. I-86 has become a fast, reliable, toll-free road to move commerce between east and west in our part of the country.

Of course, what the bridge means for us locally is also important. It is a vital artery connecting the east and west sides of Chautauqua County. People who live in Ellery can easily get to Lakewood or Erie for shopping. People living in North Harmony are now easily connected to the businesses and shopping available in Bemus Point and are just an exit or two from Jamestown. It would be hard now to envision our county without this vital highway and bridge.

“So good wishes, DOT and construction workers, for a successful summer on the repair and reconstruction of the Chautauqua Lake Bridge. We look forward to it being, once again, a four-lane highway providing beautiful views of Chautauqua Lake for the traveling public! ”

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.