Senator Farley Is Pleased Batchellerville Bridge Project Is Moving Forward

The following is a statement from State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R,C,I - Schenectady) in regards to the August 3rd groundbreaking ceremony for the Batchellerville Bridge in Edinburg, Saratoga County: ---- Today's events bring the replacement for the Batchellerville Bridge from dreams to reality. It has been a long and tough road in ensuring this project remains viable and the town officials, emergency response personnel and residents of Edinburg are the ones who need to be congratulated the most for their persistence and determination in getting their community's lifeline replaced. This project has long been a top priority of mine, and it was therefore very distressing when the bids originally came in well above the amount of funds that had been secured. However, the residents of the Great Sacandaga Lake banded together and joined with me to push for prompt action to secure the additional funding needed to replace the aging Batchellerville Bridge. The bridge plays a crucial role in the regional economy and in the lives of full-time and seasonal residents. When the bridge was shut down to one lane traffic, and the Crown Point Bridge was suddenly closed, the same constituents rallied in Albany and voiced their concerns over safety issues. We stood at the Capitol and brought attention to the fact that action was needed now, rather than having to react in the future to the traumatic impact of a closure. Congratulations to the residents of Edinburg and your lake neighbors for making today happen. I look forward to seeing the project progress. Best regards.