Major construction is complete on a $2.5 million replacement of the Route 19 bridge over Black Creek Overflow in Bergen. Some on-site work remains, with periodic lane closures controlled by flaggers expected through November.
The Genesee County project replaced a concrete bridge built in 1927 with a longer structure, wider shoulders and improved clearance for floodwater, according to a New York State Department of Transportation announcement.
The former 35-foot, two-span bridge was replaced by a 50-foot integral-abutment bridge designed for an expected 75-year service life. The new design eliminates metal expansion joints at the ends, creating a smoother surface and reducing a source of future maintenance.
The structure has corrosion-resistant galvanized-steel girders. Its shoulders are 9 feet wide, compared with 5 feet on the old bridge, providing more room for cyclists and pedestrians alongside motor vehicles and agricultural traffic.
Crews also raised the bridge 3 feet to accommodate the overflow channel, which carries excess water when Black Creek exceeds its capacity. NYSDOT said that change improves the structure's resilience.
Route 19 runs from Lake Ontario to the Pennsylvania line, largely as a two-lane rural highway. Around Bergen, it provides connections to Interstate 490, Route 5, SUNY Brockport and Rochester-area communities.
Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said replacing the century-old structure brings it to modern standards for residents, students, visitors and commercial users. Travelers can check 511NY for current road conditions while finishing work continues.
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