Erie County Legislator Lindsay Lorigo says the Legislature has approved funding for roadwork on Warner Gulf Road in the town of Holland. The $300,000 in funding authorizes Erie County to execute an agreement with Erdman Anthony for engineering design to replace the Warner Gulf Road culvert over Gears Gulf. The original structure was built in 1931 and in its most recent inspection was rated a 3 with yellow structural flags for headwall deterioration.
“The 3 rating is very troubling. We have to ensure we make necessary improvements to our infrastructure for the public’s safety. This marks the next step to addressing the issues with this road,” said Legislator Lorigo. “Failure to make needed repairs would have possibly led to the closing of the road altogether.”
The structure has exceeded its useful design life, and the culvert continues to deteriorate, which could lead to embankment failure, lane reductions, or road closure. The structure that will replace the current culvert is expected to be increased to a more than twenty-foot span length based on hydraulic, alignment and construction needs, reclassifying it as a bridge, rather than culvert.
“My district encompasses 8 towns and two villages. These communities rely on CHIPS funding to ensure the roads are properly maintained. Without an increase, it’s very difficult for our local highway departments to do the necessary repairs and construction. We need to do what’s necessary to ensure the safety of the traveling public,” said Legislator Lorigo.
