Committee approves series of Bridge New York-funded bridge and culvert projects, land dedication and appropriations

Orange County's Physical Services Committee approved a package of transportation items on March 24, 2025, including a highway right-of-way dedication, supplemental capital appropriations and authorizations for several Bridge New York-funded bridge and culvert replacement projects.

The committee approved a request to accept a strip of land to be dedicated for highway purposes along County Road 53 (Craigfield Road) through lands of AMG Plus Realty, LLC (tax map parcel 52-1-57). Department of Public Works staff described the dedication as a standard outcome of site-plan review where parcel boundaries encompass part of the county road; the transfer gives full ownership of that portion of the road and right-of-way to the county. The motion passed by voice vote.

The committee also approved multiple supplemental appropriations and authorizations tied to the Bridge New York program. Key items approved included:

- A supplemental appropriation to create a capital project for County Route 1 over Urich Ditch culvert replacement (PIN 8763.7) with state share $1,500,000 and county share $0 (Legislative request number 82). Staff said the program requires the county to lay out funds up front and later apply for reimbursement from the state.

- Authorization to implement and fund a Bridge New York-eligible transportation project (Legislative request number 80), described by staff as a culvert replacement eligible for up to $1,500,000 in reimbursement.

- A supplemental appropriation to create a capital project for County Route 1 over Drumbuhle Ditch culvert replacement in the Town of Warwick (PIN 8763.69) with state share $1,500,000 and county share $0 (Legislative request number 83).

- Supplemental appropriation of $823,751 for preliminary engineering for the Sterling Lake Road / Longmeadow Road (County Route 84) bridge replacement over the Ringwood River (PIN 8763.55). Staff identified the federal share as 95% ($782,563) and the county share as 5% ($41,188); the committee amended the sample resolution to reflect the full $823,751 request before approving it (Legislative request number 84).

- Companion authorization items for those projects required by the state (Legislative request numbers 79 and 81) were also approved; staff said the state requires separate local resolutions to authorize projects and that reimbursement is conditioned on the county first authorizing and laying out the funds.

DPW staff explained cost pressures driving high bids: past bids included a $900,000 concrete box culvert for a 10-foot-to-12-foot span, and inflation and inspection/permitting costs have raised estimates. One culvert discussed was constructed in 1974 and carries about 5,100 vehicles per day; another discussed was constructed in 1955. Staff said the Bridge New York program caps reimbursement at $1,500,000 for these grants and any cost beyond that is the municipality's responsibility.

All motions on these items passed by voice vote. Committee members asked for maps and location detail for several projects; staff said maps and additional cost estimates would be provided. No bond requests were approved for local shares at this meeting; staff said they would return if local bonding were needed.