RIVER VALLEY – A nearly $18 million rehabilitation of the 1961 Callicoon, NY-Damascus, PA Bridge will get underway in July, while the study of alternatives for the closed 1902 Skinners Falls, NY-Milanville, PA Bridge is expected to wrap up by the end of the summer.
The New York-Pennsylvania Joint Interstate Bridge Commission also approved $5.9 million to repair the 1939 Port Jervis, NY-Matamoras, PA Bridge and over $1.7 million to finish painting the 1953 Cochecton, NY-Damascus, PA Bridge.
The Callicoon-Damascus Bridge rehabilitation, awarded to Bette & Cring LLC of Latham, NY, will continue through November 2027, during which time at least one lane will remain open to traffic.
A causeway will be set up in the river to stage equipment as needed under a boater safety plan to be monitored by the National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River unit.
Deficiencies identified in the March inspection of the bridge found its deck has widespread potholes and large cracks, railing sections suffered damage, the concrete piers and abutments are in poor condition with exposed and missing reinforcement bars, and the approaches from both states need work.
Steel members are also deteriorating, and several joint headers, seals, and bearings require repair or replacement. The paint is also at the end of its life cycle.
The nearly $6 million Port Jervis, NY-Matamoras, PA Bridge will rehabilitate substructure and superstructure elements and analyze re-decking options.
Federal funding will also replace the open grate steel deck on the State Route 6 – Pennsylvania Avenue – on the two-span crossing with a reinforced concrete deck, along with making steel truss repairs.
Work is due to begin in August and continue through spring 2025.
