On July 11 New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced the Bridge New York Awards aimed at rehabilitating and replacing aging bridges and culverts across New York State.

Two local towns, Lloyd and Plattekill, are each receiving $1.5 million out of a total of $15.21 million that is targeted for Ulster County.

Plattekill Highway Superintendent Robert Wager said he has a couple of projects in the works.

“The town has already received a $3.3 million grant from the Bridge New York program for Old Mill and we just had a kick off meeting to start that process and now we were just awarded $1.5 million for a culvert replacement on South Street,” he said. “They are two different programs – Culvert New York and Bridge New York.”

Wager pointed out that, “in the eyes of New York State whenever you cross a waterway, if it’s under 20 feet, it could look like a bridge, but it’s called a culvert and over 20 feet they consider it a bridge.” He said the one on South Street is defined as a culvert and Old Mill has two, one is a culvert and the second is a bridge. “They are identical but just the span is changed between the two of them.”

Wager said, “We expect to move forward with the project and we hope to have it done by September of this year.” He said the grants are reimbursable with the town fronting the funds that will be repaid at a later date. He pointed out that by doing it in-house the cost will not be $1.5 million but the town receives back what they actually spent; “you only get back what you expend.”

Lloyd Highway Superintendent Rich Klotz said they will use their grant to replace a culvert on lower Vineyard Avenue that carries the Twaalfskill Creek.

“It’s old and has to be replaced,” he said. “We just got the grant and it’s going to be 2 or 3 years before we even get the final approval on it. Just look how long it took for the Tillson/Toc project.”

Once started, Klotz expects it will take about two months to complete.