County engineers outline multi-year bridge work, several replacements and designs advancing

Sullivan County engineering staff updated the committee on progress across a series of bridge projects, including near-term in-house replacements and longer-term designs.

Staff said a draft environmental assessment (EA) for the Bridge 368 project in Pflugertown has been distributed for public comment and posted on the county website; staff expect comments in August and anticipate buying materials for construction next year. Several other projects are in design or field-work stages: Bridge 301 (Cambridge) remains under design with an alternatives report under review and construction planned for 2027; Bridge 51 in Swan Lake and Bridge 283 in Livingston Manor have field work complete and draft design reports starting; Bridge 171 (County Road 75) has a consultant on board and draft designs indicate a potential increase from a 40-foot span to something between 120 and 180 feet, with staff negotiating span and cost trade-offs.

In-house bridge operations are advancing on several fronts: Bridge 270 in Pflugertown (Tiny Bridge 270) is expected to have abutments concrete-placed next week and be complete by September or early October; the Ben Hollow Road replacement to eliminate Bridge 277 is progressing; Bridge 400 on County Road 107 is nearly complete following slip-lining of a new pipe into the existing culvert; Cambridge projects include replacement of bridge rail and pier work with estimated completion of several projects in October.

Ending: Engineering staff asked the committee to review designs as they move toward procurement and to note that some projects await utility relocations or additional consultant work before construction can proceed.