For those who use the Chautauqua Lake Bridge on a daily basis, there has been recent good news–there is now a “temporary” exit ramp for Bemus Point on the eastbound lane just as you cross the bridge.

Businesses in Bemus and the Village had been asking that this be done, and, to its credit, the State DOT made the decision to do so.

It complicates things a bit for workers and contractors who had been accessing the bridge from the east side. They will now have to come in from the west side in order to avoid traffic using the new exit ramp. But, the new arrangement, thus far, seems to be working.

The bridge has also been shut down on many nights to facilitate the work going on…at least some of the work being related to patching the two lanes now being used. Some closures have started as early as 9 p.m. which can be a “headache” for those using the bridge. But, the most recent closing notices have been for shorter hours, like 3 a.m. to 6 a.m., making it easier for the traveling public using I-86.

There has been a noted slow-down in the past couple of weeks with the pouring of new concrete decking for the section now being reconstructed. Apparently, this is being caused by a shortage of steel reinforcement bar (rebar) which must be installed before the concrete deck can be poured.

It is not clear whether this shortage was a “foul-up” in ordering, whether the supplier just ran out of it, or whether it could be related to a shortage in rebar caused by the new tariffs on steel. But, whatever the cause, it is real. The latest I have heard is that the contractor expects this material to begin arriving again in September so that the pouring of new concrete decking can again proceed.

This week did see the commencement of demolition of more old concrete on the south side of the bridge, so progress is being made.

There have also been news reports that some are seeking monetary compensation for lost revenue due to the bridge reconstruction. As a state and federal project, perhaps there is some provision in state or federal law to make up for lost revenue experienced by nearby businesses. But, I hope that the county goes slowly in appropriating local tax dollars for this purpose.

There are always impacts when major public works projects of this kind are undertaken. Yet, in the end, new infrastructure, like a new bridge, benefits everyone. If the county were to start reimbursing local businesses for construction-related lost revenue–where would it end? If a business doubles its income after the project is completed, should then the county come in and try and recoup these expenditures?

It seems to me that such a program could become a real “can of worms” and open the county and its taxpayers to all kinds of financial claims related not only to the Chautauqua Lake Bridge but to any future bridge, highway or other infrastructure projects that come along. There are already enough demands on the public purse in Mayville.

As to the bridge itself, winter is coming. There are still two or three years to go before this project is completed. The days are getting shorter, and soon our beloved snow will again be falling. So, let’s hope for a nice fall which will help those working on the bridge get as much done as they can in 2025.

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.