Some members of the engineering team said the plan for complete removal from one side of the structure would create an uneven and unbalanced distribution of weight that could create an unbalanced load for the structure leading to its destruction. A letter received by The Post-Journal in late April detailed one engineer’s position that much of the concrete barrier on the bridge’s south side had been removed while the north side of the bridge had seen additional concrete “Jersey” barriers added, creating an unbalanced load distribution between the two ends of the bridge.

According to recent Ellery Town Board meeting minutes, the planned reconstruction is proceeding after a review of the engineers’ concerns.

The $78 million project that began last month will reconstruct the 4,000-foot main bridge that was completed in 1982 as well as the two 500-foot-long bridge structures that split off on the eastern end of the main bridge. The fourth bridge structure that carries the westbound Southern Tier Expressway ramps to Route 430 will also be resurfaced and receive new bridge joints.

Work on the project will progress over four construction seasons, with initial work focusing on the creation of crossover lanes to move traffic during future project phases. One lane of traffic in each direction of I-86 will be maintained throughout the bulk of the project, however, motorists should be prepared for some overnight closures of the highway in 2024 and 2025 to facilitate the pouring of the new bridge decks.

Construction and repair work continues with Veterans Memorial Bridge/ I-86 after a controversial start. Concrete is actively being removed, as pictured here, June 6. A previous Post-Journal article detailed one engineer’s position that much of the concrete barrier on the bridge’s south side has been removed while the north side of the bridge has seen additional concrete “Jersey” barriers added, creating an unbalanced load distribution between the two ends of the bridge. Photo by Mike Smoker

The construction will mean one recent summer tradition won’t take place this year – the Chautauqua Bell will not be stopping at McCrea Point Park.

City officials said recently officials at .S. Steam Lines Ltd., the corporation which owns and operates the Chautauqua Belle, have told them the bridge project is leading the steamship operators to cancel the yearly visits to Jamestown.

“There’s concerns with the bridge by the ship owners,” said Kim Ecklund, mayor of Jamestown. “That’s all we know so far, and they will not be stopping at McCrea Point.”

Crystal Surdyk, the city’s development director, echoed the mayor’s comments.

“I know that it’s not coming down this season because of the bridgework on the lake. That’s pretty much all I know though,” she said.

An overhead, panoramic, view of removed concrete from the I-86/ Veterans Memorial Bridge is pictured. The $78 million restoration and repair project that began in March, will reconstruct the 4,000-foot main bridge that was completed in 1982 as well as the two 500-foot-long bridge structures that split off on the eastern end of the main bridge. The project is slated to be finished in 2026. Photo by Mike Smoker

The Belle is an authentic Mississippi River-style sternwheel steamboat which was constructed between 1974 -1976, as part of the county’s Bicentennial National Celebration. The Chautauqua Belle is 98 feet long and 22 feet wide and weighs 70 tons fully loaded. She has a 100-horsepower Scotch steam boiler aboard which supplies steam and power. She reportedly has a top speed of seven miles per hour, has a crew of seven and can transport 120 passengers, according to steamboats.org. Additionally, it is reported that the Belle is one of a few remaining steam vessels which still haul paying passengers the others being the Virginia V; Minne-Ha-Ha; the Belle of Louisville and the Natchez.

When County Executive PJ Wendel was contacted for comment, he deferred to representatives of U.S. Steam Lines Ltd.

Telephone and Facebook messages to Steam Lines Ltd. have not yet been returned.