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The bridge has been a source of contention between officials in Bronxville, Eastchester, Yonkers and Westchester County as they wrestled over who should pay what portion of the estimated $180,000 in construction and consulting costs.
In the end, all sides were able to meet in the middle, with Eastchester and Bronxville each paying $75,000, and Westchester paying for a $32,000 consulting contract.
The bridge was closed down to vehicular traffic suddenly in June 2013 after it was deemed ia hazard during a routine inspection by members of the state Department of Transportation. It’s been closed ever since as all parties involved haggled over costs.
The consternation that the Parkway Road Bridge expenditure created in each of the municipalities reached a fever pitch last year, with officials from Eastchester and Bronxville threatening lawsuits to ascertain the funds. Things eventually cooled down and all sides were able to reach an agreement.
There were warning signs that the bridge was beginning to deteriorate. It was closed intermittently closed to traffic several times in 2012, including a lengthy stretch when a water mane broke. According to Bronxville Mayor Marvin, the village was aware of the gradual deterioration of the bridge two years prior to its closure, but the debate over money forced delays.
After opening up the bid to contractors last month, the Bronxville Board of Trustees will award the contract at its Monday, March 9, meeting, Marvin noted. Construction will subsequently begin and the bridge is expected to be opened to traffic by May.
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