New York State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Paul A. Karas today announced that preliminary work has begun on a $7.8 million project to replace two bridges on State Route 415 in Steuben County, one over the Cohocton River in the town of Bath and the other over Salmon Creek in the town of Avoca. The project also will construct a roundabout at the intersection of Routes 415 and 53 near the Bath bridge, enhancing safety and smoothing traffic flow there.
“Governor Cuomo’s investments in infrastructure are making a difference in communities large and small,” Acting Commissioner Karas said. “The new bridges and new roundabout at a busy intersection in Steuben County will help ensure that products get to market, make it easier for travelers to get to where they need to go and keep the Southern Tier Soaring.”
This project calls for the 87-year-old truss bridge on Route 415 in Bath to be replaced with a new bridge on a new alignment nearby. The old bridge will carry traffic until the new bridge is ready to open late this year. Finishing work, including landscaping, demolition of the old bridge and construction of a new fishing access location, is scheduled to be completed during the summer of 2020.
Nearby, a new roundabout will be constructed at Route 415 and 53, along a route commonly traveled to access Interstate 86. The roundabout, scheduled to be opened this summer, will enable traffic to flow more freely through this intersection.
The project also will replace the 78-year-old Route 415 bridge over Salmon Creek in Avoca. Construction is scheduled to be completed this summer. During construction, the existing bridge is scheduled to be closed from April 15 to August 15. Vehicle and pedestrian detours will be posted in advance.
Senator Thomas O'Mara said, "We appreciate the ongoing work of our regional Department of Transportation to undertake and complete these vital infrastructure projects across the Southern Tier. These investments in Steuben County to replace two bridges and provide some new fishing access will greatly improve motorist safety, ease the flow of traffic for area residents, and help enhance the overall quality of local communities."
Assemblyman Philip Palmesano said, "Now more than ever our communities, motorists, and taxpayers deserve a strong commitment from the state to rebuild our local and state roads and bridges. Thank you to the New York State Department of Transportation for this commitment. The new roundabout and replacement of two bridges on State Route 415 in Steuben County will help provide safe and reliable transportation for the daily commuters, school buses, first responders and all who travel this road."
Steuben County Manager Jack Wheeler said, “Steuben County is thankful for the state’s investment in our transportation infrastructure. These improvements will benefit our residents, businesses, and travelers for decades to come.”
Steuben County Legislative Chair Joseph Hauryski said, “I am pleased to see the state making this kind of investment in improving the infrastructure in Steuben County. We certainly appreciate it.”
Motorists are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. In accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.
