Mink Hollow Bridge replacement sought

Town Board members expect Mink Hollow Bridge to be replaced in the spring if a temporary bridge can be found to use during the project.

At a board meeting Tuesday, town Supervisor Bill McKenna said officials are still reviewing ways to increase the bridge’s weight limit, which was reduced after the bridge was struck by debris.

“That log jam did damage to the bridge,” he said. “We’re working on coming up with a plan to stabilize it. Right now, the weight limit is down to 8 tons. We’re hoping to bring that back up to 12 or 15 tons.”

Board members last month agreed to use $100,000 from the town highway repair reserve account for the bridge replacement project. The funding was approved during a meeting last week and use as part of project that is expect to “not exceed” costs of $600,000.

Officials expressed optimism that funding will be provided by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, which has told the town the bridge should be built bigger and could increase the cost to about $900,000.

Officials said debris from heavy rain in August dislodged supporting jacks that had been placed under the bridge by a contractor with town permission while doing a project that included heavy loads. McKenna said the jacks were subsequently purchased by the town to maintain the 15-ton limit.

Both the debris and jacks were removed to assess damage to the bridge.

The bridge, which crosses the Little Beaverkill Creek, is listed by the state Department of Transportation as having been built in 1920 and as functionally obsolete.

If the bridge were to fail, there would be no way for residents who live north of the Little Beaverkill Creek on Mink Hollow Road and VanHoagland Road to drive out. The road connects with state Route 212 about 1.1 miles south of the creek.