For years, the bridge that spans the Rondout Creek in Kerhonkson has accommodated the increasing area traffic flow. Boasting cracked pavement and chipping paint, the old truss-bridge has withstood time, weathering storms and obliging passersby. There have been few advancements concerning the bridge, which has been on the Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program (HBRR) since 1994, but now change is imminent.

"We've had thirteen years to address this issue," says Ulster County Legislator Mary Sheeley. Though Sheeley is not directly involved with the project, she has recently become involved to find out what has been taking so long.

After being placed on the HBRR by the New York State Department of Transportation, the project remained inactive for five years, until the administration of the project was transferred from the NYSDOT to Ulster County. Less than a year later, preparation began to determine the scope of services required in order to hire a consulting engineering firm to complete the project. In January of 2001, a contract was signed with McFarland-Johnson Inc. for the design of the project, and a short while later a Project Kickoff meeting was held.

Before year's end, the project encountered its first obstacle: the New York State Historic Preservation Office determined that the existing truss bridge is eligible to be included in the National Registry of Historic Places. This obstacle is one of a handful that has contributed to the project's delay.

Shortly thereafter, the Federal Highway Administration determined that an alternative study report would be necessary in justifying the replacement or rehabilitation of the bridge.

Eventually in April of 2003, a Memorandum of Agreement was drafted, and by January of 2004 the document was finalized, signed, and approved. Since then, questions involving decorative lighting, detour routes, and utility relocation have caused further delays.

"A detour will require more distance and travel," explains Charles Mutz, the Chief Fire Coordinator of Ulster County. "It will impede firefighters who are responding to areas over the bridge." Mutz, who has been a member of the Kerhonkson Fire Department for forty-three years, explains that firefighters will likely take Berme Road to Rt. 44/55, and then to Rt. 209, to respond to calls that could easily be reached by crossing the bridge. The bridge, which can currently accommodate eighteen tons, has been a concern for emergency personnel for years. "Something has to be done," continues Mutz, saying "it can only get better."

Mike Berardi, Ulster County Legislator and Chair of the Public Works Committee, agrees: "We're going to move forward on this and make it happen." Berardi, who is responsible for all of matters relating to county bridges and highways, including maintenance, management, and construction, adopted this project when he became chair in January of last year.

Summarizing the most recent happenings with the project, Berardi explained that there is now a real-estate appraiser "on board" making easements and securing necessary property. Additionally, both the design approval and DEC permits are just about to be submitted, though there is uncertainty concerning the design of the piers, due to sewer lines that run below the existing structure.

"The most realistic date to start the physical project, without raising any false hope, is September 2007," says Berardi. To some, this date seems late to begin such a sizeable project. "Farmers always say, 'there's one thing you can never count on, and that's the weather,'" he quips.

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