CALLICOON — The New York-Pennsylvania Joint Interstate Bridge Commission approved an $18 million rehabilitation project for the 1961 Callicoon-Damascus bridge, which is set to begin next month and anticipated to last until November 2027.

During this time, traffic across the bridge will be downgraded to one-lane.

According to Upper Delaware Council (UDC) Executive Director Laurie Ramie, the contract for the repairs was awarded on March 28 to Bette & Cring LLC of Latham, NY. A causeway will be set up in the river to stage equipment as needed under a Boater Safety Plan to be monitored by the National Park Service (NPS) Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River unit.

Following an inspection  of the bridge completed on March 30, a number of deficiencies were identified. Those include large potholes and cracks, damaged railings and extreme deterioration to the concrete piers and abutments. Ramie also noted that both the NY and PA approaches each need work, and that the paint on the bridge has reached the end of its life cycle.

Two original contract-letting dates with plans to start construction last fall were delayed following the Commission’s approval in 2021 for $2,212,000 to design the Callicoon-Damascus Bridge upgrade.

The Commissioners earmarked $115,000 for general maintenance, and snow and ice control, for 10 nearby bridges from April 1, 2024-March 31, 2025, with the Callicoon-Damascus bridge set for $14,931.