FORT MONTGOMERY – Weeks after torrential rains devastated the Popolopen Bridge over Route 9W in Fort Montgomery, it reopened on Friday.
In less than four weeks since the storms in early July, crews designed and constructed a new support system for the structure that connects the roadway to the Bear Mountain Bridge Circle, allowing access between West Point and the Bear Mountain Bridge.
Reopening the Popolopen Bridge “will make travel easier between West Point and destinations to the south… in record time and long before tens of thousands of travelers arrive to see our Army Blac Knights begin their season,” said Governor Kathy Hochul.
Congressman Pat Ryan (D, NY-18) said the catastrophic damage to the bridge resulted in traffic disruption, impacts to local businesses and made it difficult for first responders to do their jobs safely and efficiently.
State Senator James Skoufis (D, Cornwall) praised the state workers for their swift action in repairing the bridge. He said he is confident “that our communities will come back stronger as the recovery effort proceeds in earnest.”
The extent of damage necessitated the removal of significant amounts of soil, and state transportation department engineers coordinated a solution to install a new geosynthetic reinforced fill-type retaining wall system. The system is a type of reinforced soil wall that uses layers of materials, such as fabrics, grids, and meshes, to strengthen the soil and hold it in place. It can be used to support bridges, roads, slopes, and other structures that need a stable foundation. State and contract crews installed the system along the steep slope and re-established the roadway for travelers.
State crews and contractors also worked to repair and reopen a number of other storm-damaged roads, including:
- S. Route 9W between Cornwall and the Stony Lonesome Gate entrance to West Point/Mountain Ave, Orange County
- S. Route 6/202 (Bear Mountain Bridge Road) between State Route 9D and…
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