Saratoga Lake bridge to be replaced

The cost will be approximately $130,000.  Although the project has been planned out by NYSDOT to cause the least amount of inconvenience to motorists, it seems inevitable that local residents living in the surrounding developments and trailer parks are going to have to find an alternative route home or to work.

The signal-controlled, one-way, alternating traffic operations have been instituted and are anticipated to continue until the bridge is closed for replacement in September 2010.  These cost-effective repairs and limited traffic pattern allow the bridge to remain in use with its current 15-ton load posting. Repairs done by done by NYSDOT maintenance staffs are expected to take four weeks to complete. The resulting new structure will be built on the alignment of the existing bridge.    

The idyllic environs slightly southeast of Saratoga Springs close to Rt. 9P are about to experience change for the sake of safety. The repairs and construction have already narrowed traffic from Saratoga Springs on Route 9P south to the Route 9P Bridge down to one lane, with the traffic signals in place at either end of the bridge.  So far, it seems fairly peaceful and motorists seem to be patient with the process as they wait for the light to signal that their lane can move forward. The view along either side of the edge of the lake is inviting, with marinas and public and private boat launches located at the northeastern end.   

Saratoga Lake is fed by the Kaydeross Creek and Fish Creek serves as its outlet at the north end of the lake. The water from Fish Creek empties into the Hudson River in Schuylerville. The lake is used for recreational activities and local residents and visitors can be seen fishing off the bridge while standing on either side of the span. 

At the North Saratoga Lake Stewart's convenience store, customers expressed uncertainty about what the reality will be when traffic over the bridge will be closed, and how their daily routines will be affected. William Monnat was waiting on customers in Barrymoore's Wine and Liquor store in the same shopping plaza as Stewart's, and expressed concern about what the construction will mean to business.

"If you're coming from the Saratoga Springs side of the bridge, what are you going to do? I've already heard customers say they'd have to drive around the entire lake to purchase their bottle of wine. We have visitors to the area staying at Longfellow's down the road that like to stop to purchase a bottle of wine to take with them on a picnic; they have to cross the bridge to buy it here. The Saratoga Boat Launch is across the bridge. I will have a thirty to forty five minute drive to work when this happens, because I'll have to go around the lake to get here. Our deliveries and our people have to travel across the bridge to come here. You 'd think they be able to think of a way-they're engineers. They can come up with something". 

Hair stylist Jessi DeLong was applying color to a client's hair at Shear Gold Hair Design.

Owned by Jessica Peculis, the salon had just relocated from downtown Saratoga to the Route 9P location last August. " I'm scared about that; I'm pretty sure our regular clients will come, but who can say if they'll want to drive around the lake? This will be a long trip to work".

Residents of the trailer park next to the Saratoga Boat Launch, Michelle Bayly and little six-year-old Ray Ray Bardo had their own concerns about the bridge. Bayly said" You'd have to go around the lake by Exit 12 and around to get here. The NYSDOT does an excellent job of maintaining the bridge, but it's time. It's a safety concern. As it is now, they are already being careful about the amount of weight that crosses over". 

When asked her thoughts about the bridge, first grader Ray Ray replied, "I want it pink".