Engineers provide details on Massena culvert replacement
Oct. 5—MASSENA — Three options were initially considered for the upcoming Center Street culvert replacement over a tributary to the Grasse River in the village, according to project engineers.
Sheri Kern, a consultant with Greenman-Pederson Inc. Engineering and Construction Services, said the options were to do nothing, rehabilitate the culvert, or replace the culvert with a precast concrete box culvert. They opted for the third option, she said during a public presentation to discuss the project this week.
If no work was done, she said the existing structural deficiencies of the culvert would not be corrected and deterioration would continue at the same or an accelerated rate. There would be reduced user safety of the culvert over time, and the continued deterioration would require extensive costs to repair, which would eventually lead to reduced load posting and/or closure of the structure.
"This option does not meet project objectives and therefore has been eliminated from further evaluation," Kern said.
They also dismissed culvert rehabilitation because the original undated structure was beyond its useful life and would require concrete repairs and scour mitigation.
"Rehabilitation would be costly and delays an inevitable replacement," she said.
The third option was selected because of the cost and maintenance considerations. She said existing deficiencies including scour, undermining and structure deterioration will be eliminated by replacing the current culvert with a precast concrete box culvert.
Under that option, a detour of approximately 0.3 miles from Center Street to Maple Street will be in effect during the construction period.
"Center Street up to the intersection with Maple Street will be closed to traffic during the duration of construction. Center Street to North Main Street will operate as two-way traffic," Kern said.
As part of the project, a culvert outlet will be relocated away from the House of Groom foundation. Two permanent acquisitions and two temporary easements are required from three of the adjacent property owners, one of whom was present for this week's meeting and supported the project.
Other work will include the installation of two new utility poles and relocation of overhead lines prior to construction. Residential gas services to two adjacent buildings will be relocated.
The current project schedule calls for final plans to be drawn up and right-of-ways acquired through December. The project would be advertised and bids sought in January. Construction is scheduled to begin in June and wrap up in September. Once the work if finished, Kern said the new structure will provide a minimum design life of 50 years and will address localized drainage.
The village has received $1 million in state grant funding for the project, which is estimated to cost $995,000. The design cost is estimated at $166,000, the right-of-way process is estimated at $31,000, the construction inspection is estimated at $90,000, and the construction is estimated at $708,000.
Department of Public Works Superintendent Marty G. Miller will accept written comments until Oct. 18. Those can be addressed to Marty Miller, Town Hall Building, 60 Main St., Massena, NY 13662, or emailed to dpwsuper@village.massena.ny.gov.
