Newburgh City Council approved the Lake Street Bridge order during the regular city council meeting on Monday, July 11. Last Thursday, City Engineer Jason Morris provided an update to the city council on the reconstruction of Lake St. Bridge that will now be completed on December 9, whereas it was previously going to be completed on August 1.

“The reason for the change and the increase in contract time is due to additional deflections that were discovered on the existing metal arch culvert that comprises the deficient bridge,” said Morris. “The design was started in roughly 2016 and completed roughly 2019 and since the completion of the design, the culvert had actually deflected and deformed more than was accounted for in the original design.”

According to Morris, a resurveying and order of a new culvert liner, which have both been completed, will now allow the project to move forward but more time will be needed to get the liner.

“This is one of the entry points into our city. I understand it but I’m not sure if the public will understand that and or appreciate the delay,” said Councilman Anthony Grice.