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Local farmers say 9‑mile detour would be costly and risky during Ferguson Corners bridge work
Summary
Farmers and committee members told the Yates County Public Works Committee that a 9‑mile detour (effectively adding about 4 miles per trip) would impose fuel, labor and safety costs; one farmer said his operators cross the bridge multiple times daily and estimated up to 600 crossings during a 3–4 month closure.
Local farmers told the Yates County Public Works Committee on May 11 that a posted detour routing for the Ferguson Corners Road Bridge rehabilitation would create a real economic and safety burden. Farmer Rick Wadhams said it "would be quite a burden for them to add 9 miles, the detour mileage, but sometimes they'd have to do that twice," noting many farm trucks use the crossing four to six times daily for deliveries and operations.
Committee members and Highway Superintendent Doug Rapalee estimated roughly four to five farms would be directly affected; attendees discussed the cumulative costs of extra miles, equipment wear, repairs and labor. Rapalee also noted that if a temporary bridge were usable for routine tractor-trailer traffic, permits and axle-weight calculations would still control very heavy loads. The committee heard one farmer estimate up to 600 crossings during a 3–4 month closure if no temporary access were provided. The committee asked staff to investigate funding and schedule options that could limit disruption to local agricultural operations.
