Niagara Falls, N.Y. (WBEN) - Niagara Falls was in the local spotlight more than a month ago for the removal of a steel pontoon that had broken off the ice boom on Lake Erie and floated down the Niagara River to the rapids above Bridal Veil Falls.
The New York State Parks team worked over the course of two days preparing for the removal of the 3,500-pound pontoon before a Chinook helicopter from Rochester came in to lift it safely out of the waters.
While it may seem like it took a while for the State Parks team to remove the pontoon, having to elongate and delay the mission on numerous occasions over the span of three-plus years, there is another project the State Parks crew is working on that will need much more attention in the coming years.
The historic Goat Island pedestrian bridges that connect the mainland to Green Island, and then over to Goat Island, have long-needed repairs to keep the structure sound and sturdy for use on a year-round basis. Plans have been in the works to make the necessary repairs or replacement of the bridges, but like the pontoon project, they've had some bumps in the road on their way to finally getting work underway.
"We're moving towards a final design, but we're also working to secure funding," said Public Affairs Manager of New York State Parks, Angela Berti. "We're looking at about a $55 million project to replace the historic pedestrian bridge from the mainland to Goat Island. ... They're historic from 1901, and they need to be replaced. So we're looking at options to replace them."
It was right around 2016 when the planning phase of the project started, and an idea that caught plenty of attention was the possibility of dewatering the American Falls in order for crews to be able to safely work on the pedestrian bridges. That idea has since been scrapped.
"We have been undertaking a series of information-gathering steps, such as LIDAR surveys. We're currently doing some intensive, concrete cores in the bridge that will help inform our next step of design," said Western District Director for New York State Parks, Mark Mistretta. "Since the last time this came to light, there's been a lot of work going on, in terms of analyzing our options for design. They've ranged from, 'How are we going to build this? Are we going to build a coffer dam up at the top of the rapids and close off the whole Falls, like we did in 1969? Or are we going to do more localized pier dams, as we work on a new bridge?' There's been a lot of effort put toward that, because there's a lot of environmental issues with, in essence, shutting off the Falls.
"We are absolutely shying away from that now, which might be to the disappointment to some and to the pleasure of others, but with the situation with the lakes and the high water we experienced two years ago, we were very nervous about sending too much water - if we block it off at the American Falls, sending too much water over to Canada and the Canadian Falls, and the impact that may have on the shoreline. So we're taking a real hard look at what our options are when it comes to the timing of the actual project."
While the COVID-19 pandemic certainly threw a wrench into plans with the bridge project, as did almost everything else, another major issue has been the funding for such a project, given it is so close to the brink of the American Falls.
"We have a good year left in design. We know that the project is probably about a $45-$60 million project, so in the meantime, we are looking for the construction dollars," Mistretta said. "How are we going to round up the money? We've been applying to the federal government through the BUILD Grant to assist with funding. We're looking at our own agency budget 2-3 years out, as well as looking at the overall state budget. So it's a process, we're in design. We hope, if all goes well, by the time we design and bid the project that we could see construction starting in, maybe, 2025. If all goes well."
"The State Park is trying desperately to get the funding pulled back together for that pursuant to a grant," added Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino of the project. "I mean, obviously, the City has always been in support of that project, continues to be in support of it. I think quite honestly, what's in place right now, these sorts of structures that are being held together very difficultly over time needs to be fixed. They're also historic structures. I mean, I can't understand why we can't get the focus of; I think they're actually making a request out of the federal government for some funding. When do I expect that to happen? Well, I'm hoping with all of this build back better business going on and the rest of the infrastructure money that's out there, that the federal government will forward some money to help take care of those very, very important natural assets."
Restaino says State Parks has tried several times to apply for these grants to help with the funding for the bridge, going as far to say it's the third or fourth time they've filled out the application to get some additional help to get these repairs underway.
With the State Park housed in Niagara Falls, Restaino says he continues to lobby with local elected leaders on the importance of improving the pedestrian bridge structures. He adds the City has been in contact with those in Congress and the U.S. Senate to bring the focus to them on how important it is to address the matter as soon as possible.
Congressman Brian Higgins is the representative of the 26th District in New York, which also incorporates the Niagara Falls region. He understands the importance of not only addressing the bridges' structural integrity, but also the impact the structure has on the community.
"More access, more fluidity in the Niagara Falls State Park area is beneficial to everybody. The more people that we can draw, the more people that will spend money in Niagara Falls, and that's a very, very positive aspect," said Higgins. "The RAISE Grant has been around for a long time. Applications were submitted with the mid-April deadline for an August determination, and we are fighting very hard to ensure that Niagara Falls gets its full funding for a project that will contribute to the economic viability of Niagara Falls, New York."
Although State Parks has tried to apply for federal grants in the past, Higgins feels the Historic Preservation Status helps give the Goat Island pedestrian bridges a leg-up when it comes to ensuring the money comes the way of Niagara Falls. He says every leverage point is going towards the goal of potentially bringing $18 million worth of federal money to the project.
As for the timing of when the State Parks could see the money finally come its way, Higgins is hopeful that a positive determination will result in funding for this project over a 24-month period. That should greatly enhance the attractiveness of not only this project, but also for the American side of Niagara Falls, as a whole.
While the design process for the pedestrian bridges continue and the State Parks await the potential for more federal money, is there a sense of urgency to get this project done?
Mistretta says the bridges do get inspected, and there is temporary support measures in place to make the structure safe for pedestrian use. However, the State Parks definitely does not want to keep dragging out this process.
"There's no guarantee that a stone may fall into the rapids from the bridge, but we do inspect it fairly regularly. I think the sense of urgency is to just keep this process going, and make sure that within the next few years we get this under construction," Mistretta said. "We wouldn't want it to go out another 10. I think that might be just getting out there a little bit too long. We're in the process, our commissioner is focused on making sure this design keeps moving, and as we work with is the D.O.T. [New York State Department of Transportation] and our other partners, that's our goal. Keep it moving."
As for Restaino, he knows State Parks officials are doing everything they can to ensure the safety of people utilizing the bridges, but they are certainly not optimal for the long-term outlook.
"I believe there is urgency," Restaino said. "We expressed that repeatedly to our federal officials. There is urgency that this repair, this replacement gets done. And again, I'm hoping that with the various federal programs that are out there for building infrastructure and for bridges and roads, some of that money will make its way here."
Until there's news of potential federal money coming the way of the State Parks, the design process will continue with the hopes that once all the plans are finalized with the necessary funds, works to repair the historic structure will get started immediately.
"It's an extremely unique project, historic bridges over the American Falls rapids. It's not your average bridge project. So we're excited about it. It does pose challenges, but we're up for the challenge. We're excited to keep this design process moving."
