WEST EDITION
Westside News Established 1953
Serving Suburban News West and Hamlin-Clarkson Herald edition areas
Serving the communities of Hamlin, Clarkson, Kendall, Bergen, Clarendon, Holley-Murray, Brockport-Sweden
November 22, 2020
Issue No. 46
westsidenewsny.com
Spencerport’s Route 259 lift bridge reopens to vehicular traffic The lift bridge carrying Route 259 (Union Street) over the Erie Canal in Spencerport opened to vehicular traffic on the evening of Friday, November 20, following 16 months of construction, which required the bridge to be raised and accessible for boat traffic only. The bridge, which was originally constructed in 1914, is one of two bridges currently under rehabilitation as part of a larger initiative to restore and preserve the state’s historic canal structures. “Lift bridges are iconic structures over the Erie Canal in Western New York that connect canalside communities over the historic waterway,” said Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton. “The Canal Corporation is proud to collaborate with the Department of Transportation on this project as it restores a critical transportation link within the village of Spencerport and reinforces Governor Cuomo’s continued investment in infrastructure to ensure it is safe and reliable for generations to come.” The New York State Canal Corporation is responsible for maintaining and operating the lifting components of the canal bridges, while NYSDOT owns and maintains the bridges and state highways The Route 259 lift bridge initially closed in July 2019 to undergo replacement of the existing flooring system, which included the installation of high-strength galvanized steel, and updates to the lifting mechanisms and control tower. Following the
Workers were busy on November 19, preparing for the bridge to reopen the next evening. Photo by Karen Fien. repairs, the bridge is now accessible for all vehicles of legal loads to safely travel over the bridge and the southern approach along Route 259 has been re-aligned to enhance safety and improve sight distance for oncoming vehicular traffic. Assemblyman Peter Lawrence said, “I am pleased that the Spencerport Lift Bridge at the Erie Canal will be open to vehicular traffic and that the project is near its completion. This project is part of a $16.3 million
infrastructure investment by the state and will allow travelers in the Town of Ogden and Village of Spencerport to navigate over the Erie Canal safely and efficiently. I applaud the residents and all my partners in government for their patience and input during construction and I want to thank the New York State Department of Transportation and State Canal Corporation for acknowledging the community’s needs and moving forward with the plan.”
Spencerport Mayor Gary Penders said, “I would like to take this moment to pass on the appreciation the Spencerport Village Board has for the timely construction job on the Route 259 lift bridge in the Village of Spencerport. Because of the project we were able to complete our own sidewalk replacements in the area by the south side of the lift bridge, without disrupting that area later to accomplish that. Hohl Contractors were a pleasure to work with, addressed every concern we had. DOT addressed our numerous issues with our Martha Street detour throughout the project. Even though we are a small village our Village Board appreciates the concern shown to us for the disruption this project caused to our business and residents. The project was handled in a professional manner from the top to the guys working on the bridge. Personally, my hat is off to all that were and still are involved with this project.” While Route 259 has reopened to vehicular traffic in Spencerport, construction activities at the bridge will continue on-site and motorists should be advised of potential short-term delays to test the lifting mechanisms of the bridge. The Route 250 (Main Street) bridge in the village of Fairport, which is currently under construction as part of the same project, will reopen to traffic as early as February 2021. Provided information
Riga’s WWI Memorial rededicated during Veterans Day Ceremony by Pamela A. Moore Every year the Harvey C. Noone Legion Family conducts a Veterans Day Ceremony in the Riga Newman Library Park at the site of a WWI Memorial, which was dedicated in 1920. The Memorial consists of a large stone to which a bronze tablet is affixed. It is the “Honor Roll of the Boys with the Colors from Riga Township,” and inscribed on it are the names of 63 men who fought in WWI. Five of the 63 died while serving - Leon Burr, Joseph Carr, Gregory Doxtater, George Loveridge, and Harvey C. Noone. American Legion Post # 954, Churchville, is named in honor of Harvey C. Noone, who was killed in France, on September 29, 1918, by a direct hit from a German shell. He was initially buried in France, as were many Americans who died there. In March of 1921, almost a year after the dedication of the WWI Memorial, his body was among the first of Rochester servicemen who died in France allowed by France to be repatriated back to the US for burial. Harvey C. Noone is now buried at Creekside Cemetery in Churchville, next to his mother, Mary E. Noone, who provided the money to build the Legion Post Home in his honor. This year’s Veterans Day Ceremony took on special significance because the WWI Memorial was rededicated. Legion Commander Gilbert Budd conducted the
Pastor David Branch and Commander Gilbert Budd with the memorial stone in the background. Photo by Pamela A. Moore. rededication ceremony. Prayers were offered by Pastor David Branch of the Riga Congregational Church. Members of Cub Scout Pack 156 and Boy Scout Troop 133 were in attendance, along with community leaders, the Harvey C. Noone Legion Family, and members of the community. Town Historian Ron Belczak assisted in planning the rededication. Auxiliary Members and Poppy Co-Chairs, Mary Martin and Sandy Olsovsky, told those assembled about the history, purpose, and traditions of the American Legion Family, including how the Poppy became a symbol honoring those who have died while serving their country. They explained that, soon after WWI,
“Honor Roll of the Boys with the Colors from Riga Township,” Riga’s WWI Memorial with a poppy wreath. Photo by Pamela A. Moore. Congress chartered the Legion and the Auxiliary as service organizations for veterans and their families to serve fellow veterans, their families, and their communities. Following the address, Legion Member Ken Juergens escorted them to the Memorial to place a wreath decorated with 63 poppies honoring the 63 men from Riga who fought in WWI. Poppies were chosen because in the spring
after WWI ended, France’s battlefields, where so many Americans died fighting for freedom and democracy, began blooming with red poppies. People started wearing poppies in honor of those who died in the war. Today, the Legion Family carries on that tradition by distributing poppies as a way to honor and remember those who died serving our country in all wars.