The Matteson Street bridge replacement will take about eight months to complete. Submitted Photo.

The Matteson Street Bridge over the Canadaway Creek in the Village of Fredonia will be closed to traffic starting Monday, April 6 so that this bridge can be replaced. The bridge replacement is scheduled to last approximately eight months.

As part of the bridge replacement, Matteson Street between Chestnut and Temple streets will be closed to thru traffic during construction and a detour will be posted utilizing Route 20, Chestnut Street and Temple Street.

“The existing bridge has deteriorated as the steel girders and concrete abutments have reached the end of their useful life,” said Brad Bentley Chautauqua County Director of Public Facilities. “When the replacement bridge is in place, the Matteson Street Bridge will have a safe crossing with no structural deficiencies and an expected service life of 50 to 75 years.”

The Matteson Street Bridge replacement project was submitted by Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities to New York State Department of Transportation and was selected as a BRIDGENY funded project. In being selected, the approximate $2 million cost of the bridge replacement project will be paid for with 95% Federal Funds and 5% Local funds.

The Chautauqua County Department of Public Facilities understands that this bridge replacement project will be an inconvenience to the travelling public and has made efforts to minimize the length of the time to complete this important infrastructure project.

New York State has identified local construction projects such as this bridge replacement project as essential construction projects in that if this project is not completed, it would present a safety or health risk to the travelling public. All contractors will be required to adhere to the federal and state guidelines as it relates to coronavirus protections.