7-month GI Bridge construction begins

GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. (WIVB) - Drivers traveling between Tonawanda and Grand Island need to be aware of a traffic alert for their commute.

While a few are dreading a repeat of the construction from 2010, most Grand Island residents are saying, 'We live on an island -- it's a fact of life.'

Working signs are up, telling drivers crews will begin tonight on the I-190 southbound bridge from Grand Island to the Tonawanda's.

Crews will be doing deck rehab- the same work they did on the northbound bridge three years ago.

Susan Ganci cringes, remembering what that was like. "It was horrible! I mean, it's down to one lane, it's a hassle. You have people going on one side, people going on the other. It can cause a lot of accidents," she said.

The project includes joint repairs, paving, and installing a new movable barrier gate at the bridge's base.

Work will be done during the overnight hours from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., every Sunday through Thursday  in an attempt to minimize the impact on commuters.

One Grand Island resident is not fazed by the construction. Jason Birtz said, "It doesn't really bother me at all, anymore. It used to be worse when they did it during the daytime. But now that it's at night there's no affect on me whatsoever."

Last time however, problems sometimes kept crews working past 6 o'clock, throwing a major wrench in the morning drive.

Roy Reeves of Grand Island said, "I work on the island, so it's fine for me. My wife works in Buffalo, so it's going to be a pain for her, especially coming home."

The Department of Transportation said to expect work to continue through October.

Many workers who use the bridge to travel to and from work are hoping the next seven months fly by.

"You know, it's part of being on the island I suppose. You need the bridge to get on and off," said Reeves.

The October completion date is assuming the weather cooperates.

The last time the southbound bridge was rehabilitated was more than 20 years ago in 1989.