Plans are moving forward for the replacement of the Susquehanna Avenue bridge this summer.

Although the bridge is in the village, it is owned by the county which will oversee its replacement.

County highway superintendent Ron Tiderencel met with the village's street and buildings committee Wednesday morning to discuss plans for the bridge.

The county, he said, is currently working its way through the design approval phase of the project.

The current concrete arch bridge was built in 1928 and although it is in a historic district, the bridge itself does not qualify for the historic register.

"There's nothing spectacular about it," he said.

Tiderencel said he had hoped to include a metal railing on the top of the parapet, but was told that would not be allowed.

The bridge will, however, look much like the existing structure which Tiderencel said is in "extremely bad shape."

He expects the replacement will also be a concrete arch bridge. The stone walls on the existing bridge will be replicated on the new one through the use of forms which give the concrete a laid-up stone appearance. The same technique was used on the Main Street bridge when it was replaced a few years ago.

"It will look pretty much exactly like what you have now," he said.

Streets committee chairman Glenn Hubbell said the village's main concern was the sidewalk leading to the Clark Sports Center which is used by many students after school.

Tiderencel said the road will be closed and vehicular traffic detoured during construction, but that a temporary foot bridge would be built to maintain pedestrian traffic.

Trustee Paul Kuhn attended the meeting and he also expressed his concerns about the safety of the children.

Tiderencel said the work area will be entirely fenced off.

"I want it to be 100 percent safe," he said.

The new bridge will have five-foot wide sidewalks on both sides.

The bridge replacement is expected to cost approximately $2 million dollars and will be paid for with a combination of local, state and federal funds with the greatest share come from the federal government.

Tiderencel hopes to go to bid in March and, if everything remains on schedule, begin construction in May. The project is expected to be completed in November..

He said there should be no cost to the village, other than new sidewalks located outside the project area.

The village wants to see new sidewalks all the way to the sports center and Tiderencel said he may be able to provide some in-kind services if the village elects not to have it done by a contractor.

He said the new bridge should last for 50 to 100 years.

"I think you'll be happy with the finished project," he said.