The North Cayuga Street Bridge in Ithaca, a piece of local history stretching over Fall Creek, is seeking a new home. The City of Ithaca, along with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), announced that it is offering the 1934-built Warren Pony Truss bridge to any group or individual willing to take on its preservation and future use.
The bridge, which spans 108 feet and has been deemed eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), is structurally deficient and requires significant rehabilitation. Interested parties must submit plans for the bridge’s preservation by November 18, 2024.
Although the bridge deck was replaced in 2002 and resurfaced in 2018, the overall structure has deteriorated, leading to a recurring yellow structural flag due to corrosion of critical components, including the gusset plates that hold the truss together. Removal of the bridge is estimated at $600,000, with additional costs for the removal of lead-based paint.
Those interested must meet several conditions, including assuming full financial and legal responsibility for the structure, maintaining its historic features, and providing a plan for its rehabilitation.
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