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Future of Aluminum Trail footbridge in Massena to be decided next month; village would spend $336,200 for improvements

Posted 7/17/13

By ANDY GARDNER MASSENA – The Massena Village Board of Trustees is expected to decide the future of the Aluminum Trail footbridge next month. The board Tuesday tabled until its August meeting a …

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Future of Aluminum Trail footbridge in Massena to be decided next month; village would spend $336,200 for improvements

Posted

By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA – The Massena Village Board of Trustees is expected to decide the future of the Aluminum Trail footbridge next month.

The board Tuesday tabled until its August meeting a resolution to proceed with spending money repairing the footbridge that spans across the Grasse River from Liberty Avenue to East Orvis Street, as well as the surrounding park area.

The project would be partially funded by a federal Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) grant to the tune of $1,153,800, which is 80 percent of the cost initially estimated when the town went for TEP about seven years ago. The current estimated cost is $1,681,000.

If the village decides to see the project through, its overall contribution will be $336,200, according to Village of Massena Public Works Office Superintendent Hassan Fayad.

So far, the village has paid out $57,600 to Greenman-Pederson, Inc., which is 20 percent of the $288,000 engineering cost. The remaining 80 percent was covered by the grant program; the village will have to pay it back if they don’t go through with the project.

The work will involve removing the deck and rails of the aging and rusted footbridge, replacing them with pre-cast panels, bicycle rails, and making it handicap-accessible.

“The footbridge is in dire straits right now,” Mayor James Hidy told the board, adding that he hears of people who are afraid to cross the bridge as a result of its condition and also because they fear for their safety because it is surrounded by woods and tall vegetation. “Costs are only going to increase … I think it’s a good plan.”

Part of the board’s decision to table the resolution came from uncertainty as to who may be chipping in contributions toward the village’s share.

Trustee Francis Carvel said the New York Power Authority (NYPA) had promised to shell out $185,000, Alcoa would contribute any necessary aluminum poles and rails, and Massena Electric Department (MED) had said they would perform any electrical and pole installation.

“That’s how this project was sold to us – that was a big commitment we were not going to be responsible for,” Carvel said.

Mayor James Hidy said “it’s the first I’ve heard of Alcoa” going in on the program.

Fayad said he believes MED is still on board; Hidy said he will seek a definite yes or no answer from NYPA and Alcoa.