“It could'a been done by now,” said one inspector, adding, “But we would'a had to close it down entirely.”

That pretty much sums up the story of the Callicoon Bridge rehabilitation project.

Work officially began in July of 2024 on the $17.8 million effort to repair and preserve the bridge that connects Callicoon, New York, to Damascus, Pennsylvania. The project includes replacing the bridge deck, repairing the piers beneath the structure, and making improvements intended to extend the life of the bridge for decades to come. Because officials chose to keep traffic moving through most of the construction, progress has been slower than it would have been if the bridge had simply been shut down. But considering how many of us rely on that crossing every day, few people seem eager to imagine life without it.

I cross the bridge multiple times a day and have become something of an amateur bridge observer.

For months now, pedestrians have been using a temporary wooden walkway attached to the side of the bridge. It appears to be made of plywood, perhaps only half an inch thick, though I wouldn't swear to that. Whatever the exact dimensions, it has endured a great deal of weather. After heavy rains, the surface feels soggy. It bounces slightly beneath your feet. In places, it has developed gentle waves that rise and fall as you walk.

“It looks worse than it is,” one worker assured me. “It's strong. It's supported by steel beams.”

I believe him, though that doesn't stop me from noticing every bounce.

Watching the construction crew has become part of my daily routine. Most of the workers are exceptionally strong men who spend their days lifting heavy materials, operating machinery, cutting steel, pouring concrete, and doing the kind of physically demanding work that keeps infrastructure standing. It is not difficult to understand why construction remains a male-dominated profession.

Still, I have noticed three women working among the crew. One performs welding while the other two seem to handle a variety of responsibilities, helping with lifting, carrying, and whatever else needs to be done. They work right alongside the men.

According to inspectors on the project, Bette Cringe, the company overseeing the construction, reviews applications from all qualified candidates and all walks-of-life. “There are not as many women in construction, probably due to the physical requirements,” one inspector told me. “However, one time there was a female operating a jackhammer. I hear it pays very well.”

One aspect of the project that many residents may not realize involves the overnight bridge closures. When wet concrete is poured, the bridge must sometimes be completely closed to traffic. During those periods, personnel remain on site throughout the night.

I learned that during one recent 24-hour closure, two workers stayed awake all night so emergency vehicles could be allowed through if necessary. Thankfully, no emergency arose. Nevertheless, they remained there, hour after hour, just in case. Part of the responsibility is ensuring public safety, and part is maintaining the integrity of the construction zone. It's one of those jobs nobody notices unless something goes wrong.

Infrastructure projects are funny that way. We complain when roads are closed. We complain when they stay open and construction takes longer. We complain about traffic delays, detours, and orange barrels. Yet most of us rarely think about the hundreds of people whose labor allows us to cross a river, drive to work, or walk safely from one state to another.

The Callicoon Bridge may be inconvenient at times but watching its transformation has given me a new appreciation for the people under the hard hats. From the welders and laborers to the inspectors and overnight guards, they are performing work most of us could neither do nor endure.

And when the project is finally completed, many of us will simply drive across without giving it a second thought. That's probably the highest compliment a bridge can receive.