If you have driven over the Damascus, PA – Callicoon NY bridge recently, the structure invites you to hold your breath and hope that the potholes that leave just a few inches of concrete between you and the Delaware River don’t bottom out your car, or that the exposed rebar in the bases aren’t as bad as they look.

One look at the bridge and you know it has been quite some time since it has received proper love and care. Despite its neglect, it has served its purpose – but it is definitely time for a face lift, and we are glad that time has come.

Via the The New York-Pennsylvania Joint Interstate Bridge Commission, updates from the Upper Delaware Council (UDC) have given us a peek into the future of not just that bridge, but that of the Skinners Falls bridge, which closed in 2019 to all traffic, including pedestrian and bicycles. Although not much in confirmation for that structure, we know that the long-winded study of alternative options is expected to come to a head by the close of summer. At this point, any step towards putting a bridge back up is a good thing.

But that’s a conversation still to be had, backed by a long history of waiting. Back to the Callicoon-Damascus bridge for now. The renovations are to be set in motion thanks to a contract awarded on March 28 to Bette & Cring LLC of Latham, NY based on their bid of $17,859,059.

For the rehabilitation process, the bridge will be reduced to one-lane starting in July until November of 2027, but that’s an inconvenience that anyone who has travelled the bridge connecting Damascus and Cochecton just off Route 191 has become used to now. The various agencies in charge of setting up one-lane roads have it down to a science when it comes to our interstate bridges, and thankfully the wait to cross is never too long.

Although it will not impact traffic with a full reroute, we wish for an efficient and successful endeavor for the contractors. 

Our bridges are all vital to travel, tourism and add a great deal to the quality of life. Without them, we are literally disconnected from our neighbors in Pennsylvania and all parts south. For this, and many more reasons, the upkeep of our connectors is most appreciated and we cannot wait for the upgrades to reflect that necessity.