Highway staff report progress and DOT delays on several bridge and culvert projects

Tompkins County highway staff gave the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee a quarterly capital status update on July 17 and described progress on multiple projects while flagging delays tied to New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) staffing and review timelines. Staff said the Podunk Road bridge project is currently stalled awaiting DOT action; for several DOT-dependent projects staff attributed slowdowns to personnel turnover and the recent death of a key DOT reviewer, though they said additional DOT staff have been assigned to the files. For the Fall Creek Road bridge over Fall Creek staff said they have submitted materials to DOT through consultant LaBella and are awaiting DOT response. The DAD design document for the Midline Road culvert has returned to DOT and staff expect consultant responses within days to reach plan/specs/estimate (PS&E) and permission-to-bid steps. Cortland Street was added to the state TIP in June after prior in-house bids exceeded available county funds; staff said the project remains on the TIP and will proceed through state concurrence phases with an anticipated expedited design approval and a likely bid next year. Falls Road Bridge over Taughannock (state-local award project) has a signed State Local Agreement (SLA) pending DOT signature; design consultant Fisher Associates is selected and will start when DOT signs the agreement. Staff also described the Falls Road structure as an older buried stone-and-concrete arch that is resilient but has internal concrete efflorescence and needs continued attention; they said coordination with New York State Parks will guide aesthetic and access elements for the Black Diamond Trail area. Discussion: Committee members asked about reimbursement reporting and staff described an added status line that shows when reimbursements have been submitted. Staff noted that construction estimates, PS&E and permission-to-bid steps are imminent for several projects but that DOT review timing is the common constraint. Decision/direction: No formal votes were required; staff will continue to monitor DOT reviews, pursue reimbursements and provide updates in future quarterly reports. Ending: Staff encouraged committee members to ask project-specific questions as needed and to contact the project managers for details.