Wellsville: Weidrick Road bridge won't open until late 2021

The currently closed and red-flagged Weidrick Road bridge in Wellsville won't see traffic again until late 2021, at the earliest. That was the news delivered Wednesday night during a sparsely attended public meeting on the project. Town Highway Superintendent Dean Arnold said it was his understanding that the 67-year-old span would be replaced and re-opened this year; However, officials with Foit-Albert Associates, the lead consultant said that was not the case. The consultants said the bridge needs to be replaced because it has "exceeded its useful life." The $1.7 million dollar project will yield a longer span, 115 feet and will create a two lane span with a  four foot shoulder. Arnold said he has received plenty of calls, from area residents, the school and Amish families who routinely cross the bridge. The new span will be three feet higher than the current structure and a roadside pull-off will remain for parking. The bridge was shut down last month after the Department of Transportation issued a red flag notice.