“Yeah!” and “Whew!”—an official ribbon-cutting for the Route 120 Bridge

See photos of the ceremony, the old bridge, construction, and the new bridge in “Read more…”
December 23, 2011
by Christine Yeres

The last pieces to put into place were the railings on top of the walls on the section of the bridge over the railroad tracks.  A little more than three years after de-construction of the 1930’s Route 120 bridge began in September 2008, local, state and federal elected officials as well as Department of Transportation reps met yesterday morning at the base of north wall of the completed bridge, eager to take multiple scissors to a golden ribbon stretched across Allen Place and breath a collective sigh of relief.

Supervisor Barbara Gerrard announced that the town now possessed “a safe, beautiful bridge—and its landscaping will continue to make it even more beautiful.”  Trees, shrubs and ground cover are in place; the second-level “planter box” that runs the length of the north side and serves as additional support for the bridge wall will be planted in spring.

“It is done, Barbara!  What a great job!” said U.S. Representative Nita Lowey.  “I drove over the bridge to get here this morning. And I remember when the rust literally fell off the bottom of it.”  The bridge served, said Lowey, as a perfect example of the type of infrastructure the U.S. must undertake on a massive scale “to keep up with the rest of the world.”  In addition, she said, she would continue to demand in Congress that they develop a long-range plan for infrastructure that would also provide critical jobs. “These are not make-work jobs. These are real people who need real jobs,” she said.

State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer praised Gerrard for her “determination—no matter how many misfortunes—to get it done!”  State Assemblyman Bob Castelli complimented New Castle residents for “the dignity and grace with which they have waited” for completion of the bridge.

Gerrard praised fellow officials and DOT reps, saying “They had us on speed-dial and we had them on speed-dial,” referring to the several bumps in the road during construction.  A group of residents delayed what would have been a June 2008 start by seeking a temporary restraining order which a judge denied in September 2008.  When the State failed to pay the contractor due to budget difficulties in spring of 2010, Conti crews stopped work and the speed-dial lines lighted up.

“I especially thank the public for their patience through a challenging time,” said Gerrard.  “We have a structure now that will last more than a lifetime—I’m thinking several lifetimes.  And thanks to the merchants!  Please, everyone,” she added, “go shopping before you leave town this morning!”

A police officer halted traffic for a few moments while, as a group, town board members, elected officials and DOT reps each took up scissors and together cut a wide golden ribbon stretched across Allen Place into many pieces.

Copyright 2012 NewCastleNOW.org