By LAURA INCALCATERRA
THE JOURNAL NEWS
Bridge replacement:
The state Department of Transportation will hold a public information session on a replacement of the 84-year-old James A. Farley Memorial Bridge in Stony Point. The DOT will explain the intent of the project and obtain public comment
The session runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 16 at the James A. Farley Middle School, off Route 210, in Stony Point.
(Original publication: December 31, 2006)
STONY POINT - No one disputes the need to replace the 84-year-old James A. Farley Memorial Bridge.
But deciding which buildings might be demolished to make room for a new span has raised concerns.
State Department of Transportation officials have not yet determined the design they will follow, Stony Point Supervisor Phil Marino said.
One possibility, however, involves constructing a new bridge that would require the demolition of the historic Malloy's Pharmacy building at Route 9W and East Main Street.
Town resident George Potanovic says that shouldn't happen because the white structure, built around 1861, has essentially acted as the cornerstone of Stony Point's downtown.
"Our identity and sense of place is important," Potanovic said.
The Farley bridge spans the Cedar Pond Brook and carries traffic north and south along busy Route 9W. The bridge was built in 1922 and dedicated to James A. Farley, town supervisor from 1920 to 1923. It was rededicated the James A. Farley Memorial Bridge in 1988. Farley served as postmaster general of the United States from 1933 to 1940.
DOT officials have said state workers have made many repairs over the years to the 363-foot-long bridge, which is heavily used by trucks.
Finding a detour that can accommodate both cars and trucks during construction of a new bridge is playing a role in which design will eventually be chosen, Marino said.
The DOT is considering a longer and wider bridge with a center lane and turning lanes at both the north and south exits, he said. The town has requested that historic-type lighting and possibly benches be placed near the bridge, Marino said.
Malloy's does not qualify for registration as a historic place, he said. State Department of Education representatives reviewed the building and told the DOT, which then told the town, that too many changes had been made to the building over the years.
When it comes to replacing the bridge, Marino said, state officials have told him "they want to do it in a manner that works out to be the least disruptive."
Potanovic said alternatives should be considered so that Malloy's on the north side of the bridge and buildings housing businesses on the south side were not lost. He said one possibility might be to use a "quick built" bridge, most of which would be constructed off site.
Reach Laura Incalcaterra at lincalca@lohud.com or 845-578-2486.