ALBION, OSWEGO CO. -- An Albion bridge at the center of controversy is back open following construction.
Crews recently finished work on the County Route 48 bridge, also known as the Pineville Bridge. The bridge crosses over the Salmon River in the hamlet of Pineville.
"The Oswego County Highway Department appreciates the cooperation and patience of area residents and businesses as well as that of the visitors who frequent the Salmon River corridor," said Legislator James Oldenburg, District 14, chairman of the Oswego County Legislature's Infrastructure and Facilities Committee. "We are confident that this new structure will better meet the needs of the traveling public for many years to come."
The new bridge replaces the old one which was nearly 100 years old. It was taken down last fall. The new bridge is wider and has a sidewalk for pedestrians and fisherman to safely cross the bridge.
At the time of its removal, the Oswego County Highway Superintendent said taking down the old bridge was a matter of public safety, saying its deteriorating condition posed a hazard to people traveling across it or fishing near it.
But the demolition drew criticism from Oswego County business owners. Several Pulaski businesses said construction couldn't have happened at a worse time, at the peak of the salmon run. Lawmakers insisted the demolition had to take place at that time because the bridge was so unsafe.
Have you traveled across the new bridge? Was it worth the construction and any economic impact to the area? Leave your thoughts below.
