The re-appropriation of mostly federal money to Haiti Island bridge replacement may not get approval without some challenges from the Cayuga County Legislature at a special meeting Thursday night.
State Sen. Mike Nozzolio, R-Fayette, announced Tuesday that $1.69 million would be made available to the town of Mentz to repair the bridge connecting Haiti Island to Route 38. However, county legislators will need to agree to re-allocate that money, which was originally pegged for another bridge in the town of Mentz.
Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Dudley, R-Cato, said he will need some questions answered before agreeing to essentially put the High Bridge project - proposed for 2011 or 2012 - on hold to give Haiti Island priority.
“The town of Mentz owns the bridge,” Dudley said of the Haiti Island structure. “This bridge in Mentz is no different from a highway garage, town hall or truck.
“It requires some maintenance,” he said. “Why are we in a crisis mode? Why hasn't the town been preparing for this?”
The bridge was closed to vehicular traffic July 28 after a portion of the original structure fell into the Seneca River and cut off the 60 island residents from most services. After a snow plow breached the structure in 1990, a Bailey bridge was installed within the shell as a temporary fix.
The town fought with the state over ownership and responsibility for repairs with the state from 1984 until 1998, when a judge ruled it town property. Town Supervisor Jack O'Neil has said that the town began looking into replacement just a short time before it was closed in July.
“There's an old saying that failure to plan on your part doesn't constitute an emergency on mine,” Dudley said, fearing signing the appropriation over would set a precedent for the county to repair other dilapidated town bridges. “How many other bridges are we going to fix before we fix our own?”
High Bridge, which crosses railroad tracks on the border of Mentz and Montezuma, is a county bridge that's been closed for about a decade. However, unlike the Haiti Island bridge, there are alternative routes around the railroad in that instance.
“They deserve a bridge as much as anyone else I agree that something needs to be done for them,” Dudley said of the island residents. “I'm just not sure this is the best way.”
Legislature Chairman George Fearon, R-Union Springs, said some legislators seem concerned about what will happen to the projected funding if its handed off to Mentz.
“The county needs to feel comfortable that in the long run, its needs are going to be taken care of,” he said.
The money, which is a mix of 80 percent federal and 15 percent state dollars with the town picking up the remainder, isn't guaranteed to be there for the High Bridge project four or five years from now, Fearon said. National and state priorities could change, leaving the High Bridge and other projects on hiatus.
A dozen legislators are expected to attend Thursday's 5:30 p.m. special meeting on the issue.
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net
Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Dudley, R-Cato, said he will need some questions answered before agreeing to essentially put the High Bridge project - proposed for 2011 or 2012 - on hold to give Haiti Island priority.
“The town of Mentz owns the bridge,” Dudley said of the Haiti Island structure. “This bridge in Mentz is no different from a highway garage, town hall or truck.
“It requires some maintenance,” he said. “Why are we in a crisis mode? Why hasn't the town been preparing for this?”
The bridge was closed to vehicular traffic July 28 after a portion of the original structure fell into the Seneca River and cut off the 60 island residents from most services. After a snow plow breached the structure in 1990, a Bailey bridge was installed within the shell as a temporary fix.
The town fought with the state over ownership and responsibility for repairs with the state from 1984 until 1998, when a judge ruled it town property. Town Supervisor Jack O'Neil has said that the town began looking into replacement just a short time before it was closed in July.
“There's an old saying that failure to plan on your part doesn't constitute an emergency on mine,” Dudley said, fearing signing the appropriation over would set a precedent for the county to repair other dilapidated town bridges. “How many other bridges are we going to fix before we fix our own?”
High Bridge, which crosses railroad tracks on the border of Mentz and Montezuma, is a county bridge that's been closed for about a decade. However, unlike the Haiti Island bridge, there are alternative routes around the railroad in that instance.
“They deserve a bridge as much as anyone else I agree that something needs to be done for them,” Dudley said of the island residents. “I'm just not sure this is the best way.”
Legislature Chairman George Fearon, R-Union Springs, said some legislators seem concerned about what will happen to the projected funding if its handed off to Mentz.
“The county needs to feel comfortable that in the long run, its needs are going to be taken care of,” he said.
The money, which is a mix of 80 percent federal and 15 percent state dollars with the town picking up the remainder, isn't guaranteed to be there for the High Bridge project four or five years from now, Fearon said. National and state priorities could change, leaving the High Bridge and other projects on hiatus.
A dozen legislators are expected to attend Thursday's 5:30 p.m. special meeting on the issue.
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net
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