Buffalo NY and Western New York News It takes a collapsed bridge to accelerate action on remedial work for the Cemetery Road Bridge

“The Cemetery Road Bridge looks in worse shape than what it is.” The bridge was overbuilt, there should be no failure concerns.” We yellowed fagged it in late 2006, it should be fine until replacement in 2009.” We’ll look at it again later in the year.” And then the Minneapolis Bridge came down and the Cemetery Bridge issue took on another perspective with state and local transportation officials.

For months Lancaster residents Mike Fronczak, Roy Schneggenburger and Henry Gull addressed the Lancaster Town Board on the condition of the Cemetery Road Bridge to no avail, until Supervisor Robert Giza told them it was a county road, not the town’s responsibility and that they should contact County Legislator Kathy Konst.

They did contact Konst, as did Don Ryberg and Ruth Johnston, voicing safety concerns for those traveling over and under the bridge and especially for the safety of children traveling in school buses.

Konst, having like concerns, has taken a very active role in alerting county and state officials who are responsible for conducting inspections and making a determination on bridge condition and safety.

Konst issued the following press release this past week:

Informational Meeting Set for Cemetery Road Bridge.

Erie County Legislator Kathy Konst will host an informational meeting regarding the recent re-inspection of Cemetery Road Bridge. The meeting will be held on August 20, 2007 from 6:00 pm - 7pm at the Lancaster Town Hall, 21 Central Ave. Lancaster, New York. The meeting will be held on the 3rd floor in the Opera House in advance of the Town Board Meeting.

Legislator Konst stated, “The New York State Department of Transportation will release preliminary comments on their inspection of Cemetery Road Bridge to the County and Norfolk Southern Railroad this week.

"I had requested that this inspection be moved up from a much later date because of public concern for safety in crossing over and under this deteriorating structure. Therefore I believe it is important to bring the community and stakeholders together now to review these findings.”

She continued by saying, “With the start of school just a few weeks away, I believe that it’s imperative for the schools, emergency services as well as other community leaders to know the facts concerning this important travel route. I also want to have the experts address the concerns of residents.”

Additionally, presenters from the County and the State will discuss progress on bridge reconstruction.

WIVB TV4 reported last evening:

The state is now raising a red flag over a Lancaster bridge and some want it closed.
Investigative Reporter Luke Moretti first exposed the rocker bearing problems and crumbling cement under the Cemetery Road bridge.

Wednesday a State Inspector red flagged one bearing and yellow flagged another. Both bearings are on the side of the bridge run by Norfolk Southern Railroad.
The railroad has six weeks to act. Legislator Kathy Konst wants it shut down.

Konst reports that The School District and All Emergency Service Providers have been notified as well. Konst would like to see the bridge shut down until the remedial work is completed, erring on the side of caution. A formal report may not be done for months.