ERIE COUNTY ROAD WORK BUTTONING UP IN OCTOBER

Sharp Street Bridge project completed; $1.8 million project replaces 97-year-old span, creates safer roadway 

ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Department of Public Works Highways’ Division has announced the completion of the Sharp Street Bridge project in Springville, a $1.8 million investment that replaced a 97-year-old span with a new bridge and also reconfigured the nearby roadway to create a safer road that is easier to drive and easier to plow. Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz today joined Public Works Commissioner Bill Geary and Deputy Commissioner (Highways) Karen Hoak at the bridge to review the work.

“Bridge infrastructure is particularly expensive and the Sharp Street Bridge is an example of that, a $1.8 million investment to replace the old bridge and improve the roadway for motorists and snowplows. Mother Nature is not kind to our roads and bridges, and this bridge had seen a lot of wear and tear in its nearly 100-year life,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “Today it is completely replaced with a new bridge, designed for smoother traffic flow and with a reconfigured roadway that’s safer and easier to plow.”

The old bridge was a two-span concrete slab bridge which was built in 1929. R-permit posted, the bridge   was rated “3” in 2025, with a history of flags on it for deteriorating concrete on the slab, especially at the fascias.  Temporary concrete barriers had to be installed on both sides of the bridge as well as a steel plate over a hole in the deck to keep the bridge open to traffic without reducing the load posting further.

The new bridge is a single-span prestressed concrete slab bridge with an increased span to better accommodate traffic flow. County funding was also used to remove an S-curve south of the bridge that was installed for the previous railroad crossing there. This removal makes it safer to drive, easier to plow, and realigned the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Crossing to be perpendicular with the road, which is safer for trail users crossing the road.

The project contractor was Union Concrete and Construction Corp., and the design engineer was GPI, who completed construction-phase engineering services. 

For more information:

On the Department of Public Works, visit https://www3.erie.gov/dpw/   

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