Heuvelton Bridge Over Oswegatchie On Schedule

HEUVELTON - The new bridge across the Oswegatchie River in downtown Heuvelton has begun to take shape as contractors work toward a late fall completion.

The span of pre-cast concrete is now covered by a layer of crusher run. What remains, according to state Department of Transportation Engineer-in-charge Richard J. Gaebel, is for the gravel surface to be covered with asphalt and for curbing and sidewalks to be installed. Eventually, a water main will be attached to the bridge.

The completion date on the $5 million project still looks to be Nov. 30.

"They're about where they need to be," Mr. Gaebel said Thursday of the contractors' progress.

The new bridge will replace the original, historic 93-year-old span. It was demolished and replaced last fall by a temporary 210-foot-long, 260,000-pound, one-way crossing. Since then, according to Mayor Barbara A. Lashua, the village has adjusted to both the construction activity and the slowed and delayed one-way traffic.

Mrs. Lashua said Thursday she was "absolutely, absolutely" pleased with the pace of the project. She understands, however, that residents and motorists may be divided. They and others have had to adjust to the contractors' presence and the traffic signals that were set up at the northern and southern ends of the temporary bridge to regulate the one-way crossings.

"Some people are patient and some people are impatient," the mayor said.

Mrs. Lashua is especially enthusiastic about the new bridge the DOT designed as faithful to the near-century-old original as possible. That means period arches and lighting.

"Those things are well worth waiting for," the mayor said. The main contractor on the job is Slate Hill Constructors, Inc., of Warners, N.Y.