Village says MTA will cover railroad force-account costs; bid date set for Preston Way Bridge

The Village of Mount Kisco is moving toward replacing the Preston Way Bridge after executing a Master Entry Permit with MTA and Metro-North that the Village said shifts estimated railroad support costs to the railroad. Village Manager Edward W. Brancati told trustees the agreement, executed Feb. 18, 2026, "establishes and confirms that the Village will not be required to make any payment to a Force Account used to pay for railroad support personnel" and that the railroad had estimated those costs at $1.5 million.

The update came as the Board reviewed the project’s regulatory and funding status. Brancati said the Village has completed the NEPA process and received design approval from the New York State Department of Transportation, that the NYC Department of Environmental Protection confirmed no Stormwater Pollution Prevention Permit (SWPPP) is required for the proposed work, and that NYSDOT has set a bid date of May 18, 2026.

Resident Phillip DuBon, who has been tracking the closure since it began Dec. 3, told the Board he appreciated the milestones but urged the Village to provide regular, dated public updates tied to clear milestones — for example: "Bid issued, bid due date, bids received, contract awarded, anticipated start date, best estimated reopening window." DuBon said the bridge closure is already affecting traffic patterns and downtown businesses and asked the Village Manager to own a consistent communications plan for major projects.

Deputy Mayor Karen B. Schleimer asked whether a prefabricated bridge option had been considered; Brancati reported the Village engineer advised prefabrication was not viable "at this time," and said staff continue to pursue state and federal funding, including requests to State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Chris Burdick for $2.5 million and a $5 million application to the U.S. Department of Transportation BUILD program.

Why it matters: The bridge replacement will likely affect downtown traffic, businesses and emergency response timing while construction proceeds; the Board’s next procedural steps include finalizing bid documents and advancing contract award after the May bid date.

The Board did not take a new formal vote on the bridge at this meeting. The Village manager said the Village will proceed with bid finalization and asked residents to expect updates tied to the procurement milestones.

Sources: Presentation and Q&A with Edward W. Brancati, Village Manager, and public comments from residents (DuBon).