Chenango Forks Residents Fight Plan to Demolish Steel Deck Bridge

Some people who live near an old steel deck bridge in the town of Fenton say they oppose removing it when a new span is completed.

Construction of a $12.6 million replacement bridge over the Chenango River is nearing completion. The new structure is being built in the town of Greene about a half-mile upstream from the old bridge.

The state Department of Transportation has said the existing bridge will be demolished after the new span is opened to traffic.

Nearby residents told WNBF News they plan to circulate a petition calling for the 86-year-old bridge to be retained for use by pedestrians and bicyclists.

Residents who are against the planned demolition said using the new bridge will create an inconvenience for many of those who have been able to travel across the existing span for decades.

According to the DOT, once the existing bridge has been removed, the defunct section of Route 79 between the old and new bridges will be repaved. Local municipalities then will be responsible for maintaining access to homes on that stretch of roadway.

Most of the work on the new bridge has been finished. It appears that it may be opened to traffic by the end of this month.

WATCH: WNBF News visited the Chenango Forks bridge that could soon be demolished.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: [email protected]. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.