Chenango Street Under Sinking I-81 Bridge to Be Closed for Months
Several blocks of Chenango Street in Binghamton will be shut down to through traffic for an extended time because of problems with an Interstate 81 bridge.
The New York State Department of Transportation announced late Wednesday that a detour will affect drivers traveling in both directions on the busy North Side street.
According to the travel advisory, Chenango Street in both directions will be diverted between Bevier and Frederick streets. The closure is expected to last about three months.
Local traffic will be maintained on both sides of the I-81 bridge, which has been sinking at an abnormal rate since it was constructed eight years ago. Pedestrians and bicyclists will be able to travel through the Chenango Street work zone.
The DOT has been using special monitoring equipment to track the settlement of the bridge.
In recent weeks, construction crews have been working at the overpass to prepare the site for stabilization work. A special concrete mix is expected to be utilized in an effort to slow the sinking.
The ongoing settling issues have yet to affect Interstate 81 traffic over Chenango Street.
RELATED: Repairs Underway After Unusual Settling at Binghamton I-81 Bridge
Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 772-8400 extension 233.
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