Engineers Describe Plan for Hulsetown Bridge Replacement Across Cromline Creek. Grants to Cover 95% of Cost

BLOOMING GROVE -A Public Information Session was held at Town Hall on January 9 into the reasons the Hulsetown Bridge (on County Route 51 between Route 94 just west of the intersection) needs replacement, as well as how and when it will happen. They were and will be seeking response from community members for 2 weeks (of which one week has passed). The information session was led by Ryan McGuire, P.E., Director of Project Management of the Orange County Department of Public Works.

Residents do not have to worry about detours just yet, because work is not expected to begin until May of 2025. But when it does begin the main detour will be a long one....13 miles to Goshen (Route 51 to Route 66 to Goshen and Sarah Wells Trail to Hamptonburgh) That is the official state and county plan, because they don't want heavy weight trucks using local town roads that are not built for that kind of weight bearing. There will be signage of alternatives, as well as new weight bearing limit markers for heavy vehicles. This is a well-traveled road, but the good news is that there will be over a year to find ways to lessen the impact. Councilman Steve Amante, and Highway Superintendent Wayne Kirkpatrick emphasized the importance limit the alternate use of town roads to local vehicles and the damage that could be done byl large commercial vehicles. The new weight restriction signs will be clearly posted. Several driveways in the line of the rebuild will be reconstructed.

Grants will cover 95 percent of the cost and the goal is to complete the work in 4-5 months. This new bridge will be a single span bridge instead of two-span and will be structurally sound and yet will allow access for any repairs in the future. The scope of work will include several feet of widening to meet NYDOT standards and 400 feet of adjacent pavement reconstruction, drainage improvement and site restoration"

The Barton Loguidice Project Manager of Design and the Projec Engineer went into every detail of the plan.

A bridge life is expected to last an average of 75 years. Built in the 50's, this one has significant wear and tear, as is evidenced by pitting and scouring from water infiltration. The "scouring", they said, cannot be repaired, thus requiring bridge replacement (scouring as used with respect to construction damage refers to the abrasive qualities of rushing water.). Today's bridges are required by code to be set into bedrock Safety concerns are highlighted by the state with yellow or red flags (red for emergency, yellow for caution). This bridge has been flagged with yellow twice, and as a result was given remedial reinforcement of an additional frame support. It has not had any red flagging and is currently safe to drive on, though heavy truck traffic will continue its degrading. There will be several feet of new width for current code compliance, and there may be several more feet of width to accommodate frequent bikers and an annual group bike ride from Wallkill per requests during the meeting from Town Supervisor Rob Jeroloman and Orange County Legislator Kathy Stegenga. The length will remain the same at 105 ft. Additionally, they plan to "improve the waterway opening and hydraulic conditions"

The schedule of planning and construction is as follows:

Public Information Session ............. Jan. 9

Design Report and Proof of Concept to DOT for Approval ....... Feb. 2024

Final Design Complete.......................Sept.. 2024

Bidding (Letting)..................................Nov.. 2024

Construction Begins............................May. 2025

Construction Complete......................Nov. 2025

The design portion is a coordinated effort between Orange County DPW, Ryan McGuire and a Project Manager of Design along with Project Engineer Joe DeMonte from Barton Loguidice from Albany, who said they have done considerable work in Orange County are are familiar with the area. They emphasized being eager to receive feedback from the public as to what can be done to help limit the travelling disruption.

There are 2 material options available for the reconstruction: 1- Reinforced concrete beams and 2- Steel girders. A final decision is pending on this due to consideration of the "habituation durations" which can be lengthy for steel girders, (the complex settling in of the girder over time).

Contacts and letters should be sent to:

Ryan McGuire, P.E.

Orange County Department of Public Works

P.Ol Box 509

Goshen, NY 10924

Phone: (845)-291-2768

rmcguire@orangecountygov.com