WEEDSPORT - Construction could start in May on a new bridge on Oakland Road over Cold Spring Brook.

Representatives from a Syracuse engineering firm that is designing the bridge led a public information meeting Thursday evening in the village offices.

The bridge, still a proposal until the county approves funding, would include a sidewalk to accommodate residents from the nearby Evergreen Heights. Village trustee Harry Hinman said residents of the home for the elderly often cross the bridge on their way into town.

“We're looking to improve pedestrian safety at the site,” said Matthew J. Schooley, vice president of Barton & Loguidice, consulting engineers on the project.

The original bridge, erected in 1955, carries about 830 cars a day, said Cayuga County highway superintendent George Wethey. The new bridge would include a 5.5-foot-wide sidewalk. Lanes would remain 10-feet wide, but the shoulder would be extended to 3 feet. It is scheduled for completion by November 2006.

During construction, a detour would be built to the north of the existing bridge. It would be single-lane, with traffic lights on either end. The detour will be able to handle fire trucks and tractor trailers, Schooley said.

Bryan M. Tremblay, an engineer with Barton & Loguidice, said the firm looked into rehabilitating the existing bridge, but it was too deteriorated.

There is one catch in building the bridge that could delay its construction. Easements are required for the detour and the new bridge, and officials will be dealing with out-of-state property owners.

The new bridge is estimated to cost $565,000, with 80 percent coming from the federal government, 15 percent from the state and 5 percent from the county.

The county's share is included in next year's budget, which has yet to be approved by the Legislature, Wethey said.