Mussel Study Delays Broome County Bridge Demolition

Plans to tear down one of the oldest existing bridges in Broome County are on hold due to mussels in the water near the span.

The Center Village Bridge, which was built in 1890, crosses the Susquehanna River southeast of Harpursville.

The span was closed to vehicular traffic nearly a quarter-century ago after a new bridge was constructed nearby. Pedestrians and bicyclists had been able to use the old bridge for awhile but they've been banned because the structure now is considered unsafe.

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar last June said plans to remove the dilapidated bridge were moving forward. He said the county had contacted the state Historic Preservation Office for approval of the demolition project.

While there was hope the bridge could be removed early this year, the job has been delayed.

According to Garnar's office, a study is now being conducted regarding mussels in the water. That review is expected to be complete in August.

Colesville town supervisor Glenn Winsor told WNBF News he "absolutely" supports the project to remove the unused bridge.

Winsor notes one historic bridge in the town already is being preserved. That's the Ouaquaga Bridge, which was built in 1888. That span was listed by the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

VIDEO: Our June 2023 visit to the Center Village Bridge in the town of Colesville.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.