PORT JERVIS – Construction of a new bridge over the Neversink River in Port Jervis is about to begin after 20 years of planning and many delays.
What started out as a $6 million project for a new bridge has now turned into a more than $19.6 million venture that will also include redesign of three major intersections and sidewalks.
Mayor Kelly Decker told a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday that time
is of the essence given the condition of the existing structure.
“There are supports that come over on this side and then rods that run up this side of the bridge,” Decker said. “It was only supposed to hold together for three to five years. We are now close to eight or nine years that this is finally coming to fruition.”
Assemblyman Karl Brabenec said the city is undergoing a renaissance and this project is a top priority to continue that.
Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus said the major infrastructure work is key to the continued growth of Port Jervis.
“Every major company that comes to Orange County, whether it is a Legoland or a McKesson, they want to drive around here with us,” Neuhaus said. “I get them in the car with me and I drive around and they question what is wrong with this bridge or this road. They want to make sure that we are on top of the infrastructure so that when the private sector wants to invest, they are going to invest in a place that takes care of its own infrastructure. That’s what you see the City of Port Jervis doing right now.”
Past and present city officials participated in the ceremonial groundbreaking
During construction, traffic will be reduced to one-way, but city officials said if residents can cope with the delays caused by construction, the city will be far better off when it is completed.
The federal government will pay for 80 percent of the project. The state will pick up 15 percent and the city will cover the remaining five percent, which after county grants will cost city taxpayers $1 million, said the mayor.
The new bridge should be in place in a year with the complete project, including intersection rebuilds and sidewalks to be finished in 2020.
