The old Route 219 bridge over Cattaraugus Creek on the Erie and Cattaraugus County border was abruptly closed Thursday by the state Department of Transportation.
Much of the traffic on the road was shifted to the new expressway section of 219, just to the east of the old span, which opened 14 months ago. According to the announcement released by the DOT, the bridge's future will depend on the results of a structural analysis to be conducted.
State Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R,C,I – Elma) was informed of the closure Thursday.
“The Route 219 Corridor between Erie County and the Southern Tier is a major economic lifeline for Western New York. I will be working closely with the DOT to ensure that the review and any subsequent repairs are made in a timely fashion to ensure Route 219 is safe for motorists and that any impact its closure has on surrounding communities and businesses is minimal,” Gallivan said.
Gallivan said while the specific reason for closing the bridge wasn’t made known, the problem has been referred to the Department of Transportation’s Structural Group for a complete structural safety review. The review is expected to take 4 to 6 weeks, during which the bridge will remain closed.
Gallivan assured the public he will be in constant contact with the DOT and encourages any individuals or businesses to contact his Depew office with questions or concerns.
