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Ferry Street bridge could reopen in spring

Mike Desmond/wbfo news

It isn't ready to be used but the city's Ferry Street bridge has been lowered, as repair work continues.

The bridge has always been a landmark along the Niagara Section of the Thruway, with the giant counterweight towering over traffic. City officials took it out of service last year to allow renovation after a century of use. It turned conspicuous when elevated and enveloped in a giant plastic bag to hold lead paint being blasted off the structure as part of the renovation.

Public Works Commissioner Steven Stepniak says the city is looking forward to a reopening in the spring.
 

"We've had the benefit of some good weather. Also, there is no need to have that bridge up right now because there is no boat traffic going through there. So, it makes it a lot easier to just leave it down and operate it that way."

Without the historic bridge across the barge canal, there is essentially no access to Broderick Park and the Bird Island Pier. When it does re-open after the eight-million dollar rebuilding, city officials have said visitors will have access to a re-built parking lot and a new snack bar overlooking the Niagara River.
 

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