Barbara Gerrard Issues Statement On Chappaqua Bridge Stoppage

New Castle Supervisor Barbara Gerrard has issued a written statement on the status of the Route 120 Bridge construction project in downtown Chappaqua, which has been on hold since the contractor, The Conti Group, stopped work at the beginning on this month. 

Gerrard gives a recap of the status of the bridge, such as the fact that the previous emergency budget extender passed by the state legislature did not contain funding for transportation projects, as well as Conti's resulting stoppage due to the lack of a state budget. She also informs the community about the second budget extender, which passed earlier this week and does not contain funding either, as well at the $942,000 that the state currently owes Conti from previous work.

She notes efforts to work with Assemblyman Robert Castelli, State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer and Congresswoman Nita Lowey on the matter. While the bridge funding is 80 percent federal, Gerrard says guidelines for how the funding is distributed through the Federal Highway Administration mean that the state makes payments to the contractor first and then is reimbursed by the feds. As a result, New York State is the only governmental entity that the town can currently deal with.

Gerrard also says that New Castle is in an unfair situation.

"The bottom line is that we -- all of New Castle -- are the pawns in this -- we have no contract with Conti because the bridge belongs to New York State," she writes. "No one in New York State can make any payments to anyone outside of those authorized under the present emergency funding measures. There is no money authorized to be spent - period."

She also details the town's upcoming efforts.

"Our counsel is preparing a FOIL request with New York State to obtain any and all paperwork concerning the State's contract with Conti construction, and we remain in daily contact with our state representatives, but it appears the bottom line is that until the State passes its new budget, we will not have the construction on the bridge proceed," she writes. "Let's hope that happens soon, so they can complete this project within the expected 24 month time frame."

For Gerrard's full statement, click here.