Massena: Another North Country bridge crippled

State officials have announced that traffic on another bridge in the region is being restricted because of safety concerns. Here’s the announcement issued a few minutes ago:

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has reduced the Route 37B bridge over the Grasse River in Massena to one travel lane in each direction due to results of a recent inspection.

The Department is removing the outer lanes from service as a safety precaution while engineering evaluations take place. One travel lane in each direction will be maintained, along with shoulders.

The deterioration is localized to the outermost portions of the structure as those are continually exposed to the elements. The interior structural bays of the bridges are in good condition. Signs have been erected notifying motorists of the lane closures.

Along with the Crown Point and Batchellerville bridges, this is another reminder that we face an infrastructure crisis.