Binghamton’s latest railroad bridge improvement project has begun, and residents should expect detours on Brandywine Avenue.
The effort is part of a wide-reaching railroad bridge repair project motivated by a 2023 report published by City of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham’s office. The 900-page report outlined conditions of disrepair found at multiple railroad-owned city bridges, half of which were flagged as having structural or safety issues.
The repair projects have been completed by railroad company Norfolk Southern, which owns a majority of railroad bridges across Binghamton, including the nearly 100-year-old Brandywine Avenue bridge.
Drivers should expect detours on Brandywine Ave. due to bridge repair
According to the City of Binghamton, Norfolk Southern came up with a plan to repair the city’s railroad bridges after advocacy from the city and federal lawmakers.
According to the report, the Brandywine Avenue bridge, which is located just north of Henry Street, was found to be in poor condition — the bridge showed exposed rebar, damaged lightning and deteriorated concrete columns. The repair project will replace the bridge’s parapet walls, add new lighting and paint as well as repair its concrete columns.
“Three years after our report put the railroads on notice, most of the bridges in the worst condition have been fixed,” said Kraham. “This project, which repairs a crumbling bridge on a main thoroughfare, builds on that progress and advances the critical work still left to be done. After decades of inaction and neglect by the railroads, these are the results Binghamton residents deserve.”
As part of the project, a portion of Brandywine Avenue between Eldredge Street and Henry Street will be closed to traffic, with detours in place to reroute drivers.
The project, which is being completed by Vector Construction, is expected to wrap up by early August.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Brandywine Ave. bridge repair project to be completed by August
Reporting by Riccardo Monico, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Riccardo Monico, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin | USA TODAY Network
