POND EDDY, NY — Construction work resumed on September 20 at the new Pond Eddy Bridge, after work was halted almost a week earlier when the construction crew—Latona Trucking and Excavation sub-contractors, working for the main contractors D.A. Collins Construction—hit a continuous stretch of what looked like some kind of a wall. Allison Brewer, who was subcontracted as an archeological monitor at the site by D.A. Collins, said she was there in case something of possibly historical value was discovered during the excavation process.

Brewer said, “When excavating, we hit what looked like a wall, stacked stones mortared together. When we exposed more of it, it was found to be just part of the abutment and wing wall.” She said they both are part of the old bridge construction. The abutment is part of the support structure under the bridge, and wing walls extend to the sides.

“We wanted to make sure it was not something more significant. There used to be a canal where Route 97 is now. That was the main concern. We had to find out where it came from.”

Prior to starting construction, extensive research and analysis had been done about the bridge and the new construction’s potentially adverse effects. The old bridge will be torn down once the new one is ready. The new construction and tearing down of the old bridge had faced widespread opposition from locals and environmentalists for years, many questioning why a new bridge costing $13.3 million had to be built for few full-time residents on the Pennsylvania side who have to connect over the river to New York road system.

Brewer explained that if the find had been part of the canal, it would have resulted in a much more involved investigation, but eventually the construction would have resumed. In that case, New York and Pennsylvania State Highways, Federal Highways, and PA and New York Departments of Transportation would have been alerted. The investigation would then have taken longer, involving more extensive research and documentation, after which the work would have resumed.

“There are many portions of the canal along Route 97. Many are visible,” Brewer said.