NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
REGION 1
ALBANY – ESSEX – GREENE – RENSSELAER
SARATOGA – SCHENECTADY – WARREN - WASHINGTON

Route 2 Over the Poesten Kill Bridge Replacement Project

History: The existing concrete arch bridge that carries Route 2 over the Poesten Kill in the Hamlet of Eagle Mills, Town of Brunswick, Rensselaer County, was built in 1923. Regular inspections conducted as part of the NYSDOT biennial bridge inspection program indicated on-going concrete deterioration and poor structural condition. Due to the geometry (specifically the non-standard bridge width) and amount of deterioration, NYSDOT recommended a complete bridge replacement.

Objectives: To restore the bridge condition rating to "5" or greater for a period of at least 50 years and to provide a structure with improved geometric features. Also, to minimize adverse environmental effects and mitigate any unavoidable environmental effects.

Alternatives: Complete replacement of the bridge is the only acceptable alternative because it satisfies the project’s objectives by eliminating the structural deficiencies associated with the existing bridge and provides a service life of 50 years. Four replacement alternatives were evaluated as follows:

1. Replace the bridge on its existing alignment while one-way alternating traffic, utilizing a signal, is maintained on a temporary bridge located adjacent and south of the existing bridge. This alternative does not improve the geometrics of the roadway (ie. Non-standard horizontal curve and sight distance) and, therefore, does not address all of the project objectives.
2. Replace the bridge on an alignment that is shifted south approx. 6 meters and replace the existing bridge in stages. During Stage I, two lanes of traffic would be maintained on the existing bridge while half of the new bridge is built adjacent and to the south of the existing bridge. During Stage II, traffic would be shifted onto the new bridge utilizing one-way traffic with a signal. The existing bridge would be removed and the north half of the new bridge would be constructed. This alternative satisfies all the project objectives and requires minimum right of way takings from adjacent properties.
3. Replace the bridge on an adjacent alignment that is shifted approx. 10 meters to the south while maintaining traffic on the existing bridge. Two lanes of traffic would be maintained on the existing bridge while the new bridge is constructed in its entirety adjacent and south of the existing bridge. This alternative satisfies all the project objectives but requires a greater amount of right of way takings and has a greater impact on adjacent properties than Alternative #2.
4. Replace the bridge on an adjacent alignment that is shifted to the north. The bridge would be built either in its entirety adjacent and to the north of the existing while maintaining traffic on the existing bridge or it would be built in stages as in Alternative 2 except the proposed bridge would be built to the north of the existing. This alternative would address the project objectives, however, two residential structures and one commercial structure would be acquired and demolished. Furthermore, the ruins of the Eagle Flour Mill would be negatively impacted.

Based on an evaluation of the impacts and input from the public, Alternative #2 was identified as the Preferred Alternative.

Proposed Bridge: Based on input received from the public and the historical significance of the project area, the proposed bridge will be a precast concrete arch structure with decorative concrete parapets to replicate the existing bridge. Also, the bridge will have lighting on all four corners of the bridge. The bridge section will consist of 3.3 meter (11 ft) travel lanes and 1.2 meter (4 ft) shoulders and will be curbed with a 1.525 meter (5 ft) sidewalk on each side. The proposed centerline of the bridge will be shifted approximately 6 meters (20 ft) south of the existing bridge centerline.

Proposed Roadway: The roadway approaches will be reconstructed for approx. 335 meters west and approx. 280 meters east of the bridge. The proposed centerline of the roadway will be shifted from the existing centerline along portions of the roadway in order to reconstruct the highway to current standards and to align the roadway with the proposed layout of the new bridge. The new roadway will have the same widths as the existing roadway with 3.3 meter (11 ft) travel lanes and 1.2 meter (4 ft) shoulders. The existing concrete gutter will be removed and replaced with curb and a closed drainage system. A 1.525 meter (5 ft) sidewalk will be built from Maple Ave. to Garfield Road on the north side and from Pinewoods Ave. to Garfield Road on the south side.

The existing WWI Memorial located on the southwest corner of the bridge needs to be removed to accommodate replacement of the bridge. Due to the deteriorated condition of the monument, the Town decided that they would like a new monument which incorporates the plaques from the existing monument instead of trying to salvage the existing monument. A new monument will be built to replicate the existing monument and will be placed in the Veterans’ Memorial Park which is located just west of the bridge between Route 2 and Old Brunswick Road. Improvements to the park (ie. landscaping, benches, courtyard, lighting) are proposed to be included as part of this project as a betterment to be funded by the Town of Brunswick.

Right of Way: To accommodate the bridge replacement and the proposed roadway improvements, minor right of way acquisitions are required. The amount of right of way acquired shall be limited to only what is necessary to access, construct, or maintain the highway and / or bridge and its designed features and appurtenances. Twelve (12) properties were identified as requiring right of way acquisitions, either permanent or temporary. (See General Plans for proposed right of way acquisitions)

Maintenance & Protection of Traffic: Construction of the bridge and highway will be conducted in stages. During Stage I, traffic (one lane in each direction) will be maintained on the existing bridge while half of the new bridge is being built adjacent and south of the existing bridge. A portion of the proposed approach roadway (approx. 50 meters) at the bridge will also be constructed at that time. Once completed, traffic will be shifted onto the new bridge utilizing one-way alternating traffic with temporary traffic signals erected on either side of the bridge. During Stage II, the existing bridge will be completely removed and the proposed bridge will be completed. During both Stage I & II, Parsonage Lane will need to be closed to traffic and Creek Road will be closed to northbound traffic only. Creek Road, at the intersection with Route 2, will be one-way for southbound traffic only. Creek Road northbound traffic will be detoured to Route 2 utilizing local roads. Once the bridge is completed, both Creek Road and Parsonage lane will be re-opened and two-way traffic will be maintained on the new bridge. The remainder of the highway reconstruction of Route 2 will be constructed during non-peak hours utilizing flaggers to maintain traffic. During reconstruction of Pinewoods Avenue (at the intersection with Route 2), traffic will be detoured onto Maple Avenue for a short duration (7 days).

Cost: The construction of this project will be state funded with Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Rehabilitation (HBRR) funds. The total estimated cost of construction is $3,787,788.

Schedule: Final design of this project has been completed. The project was let on September 8, 2005. The prime contractor is Harrison & Burrowes Bridge Const. Construction began in November 2005 and the Contractor anticipates the project will be completed by December 2006 which is earlier than the scheduled completion date of September 2007. Route 2 is scheduled to be reconstructed in June & July 2006 with work on the side roads planned for August. The bridge is anticipated to be completed this year beginning in April and scheduled to be completed in October. The park improvements for the Brunswick Veterans Memorial Park are planned for September & October. The proposed construction schedule is subject to change. (See proposed construction schedule PDF, 1.7M)

Construction: Construction on the new bridge and approach roadway has been progressing according to schedule. A portion of the new bridge, an earth filled concrete arch, has been built to the south of the existing bridge. Currently, one way alternating traffic is being maintained on the new bridge utilizing traffic signals. The existing bridge has been demolished and the remaining portion of the new bridge is going to be built in its place. The bridge is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2006. The majority of the highway work has been completed. The new water main and drainage has been installed. Route 2 has been reconstructed with new asphalt, curbs, and sidewalks. The final roadway work on Route 2, including the top asphalt surface and the tie-ins to the new bridge, will be done once the bridge is completed. Pinewoods Avenue still needs some roadway work including final pavement and concrete gutters to be completed this year. Improvements to the Veterans Memorial Park are underway with the new replica WWI monument built and other landscaping being completed. There is still time to purchase a memorial brick for the park. This project is anticipated to be completed this year (weather permitting), however, there may be some landscape items (ie. plantings) that will need to wait until Spring 2007 to be completed.

Public Involvement: Two (2) Public Information Meetings were held to solicit input from the community, February 10 and May 25, 2004.

Information: A copy of the Design Report, which contains draft plans, profiles, and typical sections, is available for review at the Brunswick Community Library. A copy of the Final Plans can be viewed at the project field office located in Tamarac Plaza.

Downloadable Information: You can download the plans (pdf, 577K) and profiles (pdf, 230K) for this project. Update, March 2005: profiles (pdf, 3.2M) have been updated. Update, June 2005: plans (pdf, 4.2M) updated; sequence (pdf, 0.7M) added

Contact: Any additional information regarding this project may be obtained by contacting:

To read PDF documents, you will need Adobe Reader, a free download from Adobe.

© 2010 Town of Brunswick
336 Town Office Road, Troy, New York 12180
Telephone: 518/279-3461 FAX : 518/279-4352
Write the Town