A bridge many visitors see as a simple crossing now carries a $3.9 million price tag, according to The Citizen. Cayuga County officials say replacing the aging bridge to Deauville Island at Emerson Park requires a complete rebuild that meets modern safety and environmental standards.
The existing one-lane bridge, installed in 1990 as a temporary solution, can’t be reused. Plans call for a wider two-lane structure capable of handling emergency and construction vehicles while maintaining protected pedestrian access.
County officials also point to inflation, stricter regulations, and a nearly $600,000 contingency fund built into the estimate. A recent $3.1 million federal grant will cover most of the project, leaving the county responsible for about $787,000.
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