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Ashford Ave. Bridge Work Could Begin in 2015 in Dobbs Ferry

DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – The renovations of the Ashford Avenue bridge, a span between Dobbs Ferry and Ardsley that was described as deteriorating, was the topic of a meeting Wednesday night.

“It’s the worst county-owned bridge in Westchester County, and it’s not by just a little,” said MaryJane Shimsky, D-Hastings-on-Hudson.

County officials discussed options for renovations during the meeting in the Dobbs Ferry High School auditorium.

“At this point the county is in preliminary design phases,” said county Rep. David Weiss.

Construction is estimated start in March 2015 and would likely be finished by the winter of 2017.  The total cost was estimated by county officials at $20.6 million.

Although the Ashford Avenue bridge is rusting and continuing to deteriorate, Weiss said it poses no danger at this point, but the county needs to plan ahead.

“It wasn’t found to be in any imminent danger, and it can safely support any vehicular weight,” he said. “This is common deterioration for a bridge of this type and this age.”

Years of wear and tear along with significant water infiltration have caused girders and beam ends of support to rust and deteriorate. Officials said the new bridge would be built to last at least 50 years.

Expected traffic issues connected to the construction were also discussed. The Saw Mill River Parkway northbound on-ramp would likely be closed during construction, and Route 9A would be the primary diversion route. As one side was worked on, traffic would be diverted to one lane each way. A temporary light could be put at the Ogden Ave intersection.

The start of the construction process raised a bit of excitement.

“I look forward to the day when we’re not taking pictures of rust and the crumbling of the bridge, but at the dedication ceremony for a brand spanking new bridge,” Shimsky said.

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