Bainbridge NY Underpass Replacement 1962

Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY

Underpass Replacement - 1962

 

Route 7 Span on Way Out

With 16 major traffic accidents chalked up against the old Delaware & Hudson underpass at Bainbridge in a 13-month period, residents of that area are soon to see the old danger spot eliminated.  Work has started on a new 200-foot span to do away with the narrow structure that had been the bane of truckers and motorists for years.  It was called by some the most dangerous spot in the state.  If a heavy truck got out of control as it descended the hill toward the underpass on a sharp curve, it meant a serious accident. Also, the underpass was low and a number of truckers came to grief when their rigs were unable to go through the arch.

 

The new span is being built by Hogeboom & Campbell of New Hartford. The firm has contracted to do the job for $702,975, or about $35,000 less than the estimate of the state engineer.  The cost of the job will be divided between the state, the federal government and the railroad, and will include .72 mile of new highway entering and leaving the underpass.  The new stretch of highway will be 24 feet wide and will be part of Route 7 east of the Village of Bainbridge. The Odell house, now near the underpass, will be moved to another location.  Although the work is scheduled to be completed in August, 1963, a spokesman for the contractor said that given good weather, the job could be completed this fall.

 

The state engineer on the project is a Mt. Upton man, Thomas Wideman, with George Rifenberg of Norwich in charge of overhead installation. The railroad company will remove the present girders and fill the present opening, relaying the tracks in the proper position.  It is estimated that this job can be done by delaying railroad schedules by only one day. 

 

Bainbridge residents are pleased with the plans to change what has been known for years as a hazardous spot. The village has been annoyed at what were called unnecessary delays on the part of the state.  It had opened one of its streets to heavy trucks unable to get under the 13-foot overpass and the heavy vehicles ruined the street.

 

Bainbridge Police Chief William S. Payne shows potographs of five of the more serious accidents over 10-year period at Route 7 railroad underpass. Chief Payne compiled report this week showing 16 accidnets there from Jan. 1, 1959 to last Sunday.  Six involved serious personal injury.

 

Bainbridge Underpass Before Elimination

 

 

Views Photographed during Construction