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February 1, 2015
Issue No. 5
www.westsidenewsny.com
NORTH EDITION
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Hilton-Parma
Some service vehicles too heavy for posted Route 259 lift bridge by Kristina Gabalski The recent weight limit restriction on the Route 259 (Union Street) lift bridge over the Erie Canal in Spencerport has meant some adjustments for those who drive heavy vehicles like snowplows. On December 18, the New York State Department of Transportation restricted usage of the bridge to vehicles weighing 12 tons or less. It had previously been restricted only to vehicles requiring an R permit to haul oversize or overweight loads. The NYSDOT informed community leaders that “this posting is being put in place following a recent inspection and engineering analysis that revealed the bridge can no longer safely carry heavier
traffic in its current condition.” According to the NYSDOT, a fully loaded, three axle dump truck typically weighs a minimum of 12 tons. The Martha Street bridge over the Canal to the west is open and posted for 18 tons. Ogden Highway Superintendent Dave Widger says the restriction has not hindered the department greatly in plowing snow. “It cuts down our response time on one plow route a little,” Widger says. “We have to re-route the trucks - it’s a little cumbersome, we can only use two of seven bridges. We have to try and get out there as quick as we can and there’s not a lot of light at the end of the tunnel,” he adds, regarding when the bridge might be repaired.
W. Horylev photo.
School bus weights are within the limit posted on the Union Street/Route 259 lift bridge but other bridge weight restrictions have caused reworking transportation routes. W. Horylev photo. The NYSDOT says the duration of the weight restriction is not yet known, but they are expediting a plan to raise the weight limit as soon as possible. A full assessment of the condition along with a repair plan is being developed. Widger says snowplows are using Manitou and Washington Street bridges to get across the canal. The Gillett Road bridge is also off limits to plows as it currently is posted for eight tons. Property owners on Gillett Road have agreed to let the plows turn around on their property which “has helped tremendously,” Widger says, and explains a typical snowplow weighs 33 tons when it is loaded up. Smaller plows are in the range of 17 1/2 to 18 tons. Village of Spencerport Department of Public Works Superintendent Tom West says the Union Street bridge restriction is affecting large garbage and recycling trucks which are using the Washington Street and Manitou Road bridges.
Regarding fire apparatus, Spencerport Fire Chief Doug Case says the Fire District applied for emergency waivers which allow all large equipment that exceed the current posting to use the Route 259 (Union Street) bridge. “We are currently back to normal operating procedures,” Chief Case says and notes the Union Street bridge is very important because of its core location between the district’s three fire stations. “We work together using equipment from all three stations,” he says. He says the fire district is working with local leaders to “try to work with the state to get the bridge back up to acceptable levels - the repairs will impact operations.” Chief Case says the state needs to understand the infrastructure needs to be upgraded. “It has been the trend the last few years to have the weight limits going down.” Read more on page 5
Spencerport schools host Urban-Suburban info meeting Feb. 3 by Kristina Gabalski Spencerport Central School District residents will have another opportunity to learn more about the Urban-Suburban Inter-District Transfer program Tuesday, February 3. The district is considering joining the program and will host the upcoming informational meeting at the Spencerport High School Performing Arts Center beginning at 7 p.m. District officials say the meeting will provide an additional forum for residents to learn about the program, present follow-up information requested by the
Board of Education and offer another opportunity for community input. A meeting in December drew a large number of residents who expressed opinions on both sides of the issue. The district has worked since the December meeting to “engage the leaders from Urban-Suburban and participating districts to obtain their insight into questions raised on best practices, data/research on student performance, the program’s cultural impact to their schools, and revenues/expenses,” Superintendent Mike Crumb says. “We realize the importance of holding this additional meeting
to engage community input and encourage a respectful dialogue about the Urban-Suburban program as part of this review.” Spencerport began its consideration of the Urban Suburban program last fall and district officials explain that participation in the program - which has been in place in Monroe County for 50 years - would provide more diversity and perspectives within the district’s schools. Superintendent Crumb has stated he anticipates that if approved, the program would be phased-in over five years. “Each district selects the applicants
they wish to host, and there is no mandate or quota to accept urban students,” the district states on its website. If it is eventually approved by the school board, the program would initially have two entry points - at first and sixth grades. Acceptance of an average of six students at each entry point for the first five years and then first grade only beginning in year six - unless the superintendent recommends additional students in sixth grade. First grade students would be assigned in all four elementary schools based on space availability. More on page 5