The Main Street Bridge in Brockport is finally open after over two and a half years of construction and delays. A post on the Village of Brockport Facebook page first broke the news of the bridge opening.
A series of updates on the construction of the bridge have been posted on the Village of Brockport’s website throughout the year, with the last update at the end of August noting three setbacks, including clearance issues, an ironworker shortage and the need for a sensor replacement.
A small crowd of onlookers gathered around 3:30 p.m. as construction crews began removing barricades around the bridge and testing the street lights. Three fire rescue vehicles lined up on Main Street and were the first to cross over the reopened bridge.
Village of Brockport Mayor Ben Reed was on hand to celebrate the big opening.
“I was excited, I heard from one of my code officials, she was in contact with DOT [Department of Transportation], and she let me know that they plan to open it today,” Reed said.
The effects of the bridge opening are already taking shape.
“I think it’ll take a little bit of time for everyone to get back on their feet, but overall, the traffic is busy, people are excited and we’re really hoping that excitement carries into the businesses as well,” Reed said.
Evan Yount was one of the bridge workers on hand who helped open the bridge.
“We did all the mechanical work just like any other job, but this was a bit more public,” Yount said.
The bridge project proved to be a large undertaking.
“[It was] basically a full rebuild, so we had to get all new machinery, all new motors, gear boxes, the shivs, all the ropes, basically everything for the entire bridge,” Yount said.
Members of the Brockport community braved the cold temperatures to watch the bridge open, including community member Anna Toomey.
“I wasn’t expecting it to be open today,” Toomey said. “I actually got a notification from a local smoothie shop that the bridge is open, and I was like, I got to check this out and see if it’s really open. I ended up behind the fire truck, and I think I’m first in line to cross it. I wasn’t expecting that.”
The bridge has been closed since May 15, 2023, and the re-opening marks 910 days since its closure. Village officials expressed their excitement and are looking forward to seeing traffic flow freely across Main Street once again.
