More Money For Buskirk Bridge

 

Cambridge, NY February 24, 2005 - The Washington County Board of Supervisors voted to amend the contract for ongoing repairs to the Buskirk Covered Bridge adding $102,000.

The increase was said to be due to construction delays and additional inspections. To date the cost of the reconstruction of the historic bridge spanning the Hoosic River is $2.5 million nearly twice the original estimate of $1.3 million.

Area residents are reported frustrated with the costs and delays. The bridge has been closed for two-and-a-half years and is not expected to open until late May, 2005. The delays were caused by efforts to preserve the bridge rather than replace it with a modern span. Also, instead of a projected carrying capacity of 17 tons, the renewed bridge will be limited to 7 tons despite the replacement of 90 percent of the bridge's original fabric with new material.

The bridge repairs were funded by Federal and state grants meant to repair all three of the Washington County covered bridges, the Rexleigh, Eaglrville, and the Buskirk. However the funds were exhausted on the Buskirk Bridge, it being most in need of work.