Bridge projects in Potsdam and Oswegatchie will begin sooner than first planned, due to accelerated funding secured by Assemblywoman Addie Russell (D-Theresa), a release from the North Country legislator said.

A total of $9,240,000 from the NY Works program is set aside for the two state Department of Transportation repair projects, which will now start earlier than the original 2017 start dates.

Work on the two Maple Street bridges over the Raquette River in Potsdam will begin in 2014, and on the Eel Weir Bridge over the Oswegatchie River in 2015.

“The village is very pleased that Assemblywoman Russell is working to help us maintain our critical infrastructure,” Potsdam Mayor Steven Yurgartis said. “The Maple Street bridge project is a perfect fit with our economic development plans to build a River Walk to showcase our downtown and the Raquette River. It also fits perfectly with our goal of improving pedestrian and bicycle travel in a village with 7,000 students.” Potsdam is home to Clarkson University and SUNY Potsdam.

“It is better to be proactive in replacing our aging bridge infrastructure so that we can avoid sudden closures and the burdens they place on residents and businesses,” Russell said. “I have been a champion for funding infrastructure so that assets like our many bridges are economic drivers and compliment community development plans,” she said.

Russell’s 115th Assembly District all St. Lawrence County townships along the St. Lawrence River, plus Canton, Potsdam, Rossie, Macomb and DePeyster, along with northern Jefferson County, but not including Watertown.