CAYUGA COUNTY, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)– A bridge closure is causing traffic headaches for drivers, but it’s also creating a much bigger problem for first responders.
The Jordan Volunteer Fire Department said the closure of Quimby’s Bridge is significantly increasing response times, and crews are now having to change how they operate.
Chief Stephan Bryant, of the Jordan Volunteer Fire Department, said their trucks are 40 tons, which is 10 times heavier than what Quimby’s Bridge can handle, which is only 4 tons. This is a local route many divers use to get over the Seneca River, and around the Route 34 bridge closure. Now, the Quimby Bridge is closed completely after a recent inspection revealed deficiencies.
“It extends our response time immensely… It adds many minutes, so it’s about 24 minutes if we’re here; it’s another 30 to 35 if we’re not here…Normally we can get into the town of Cato in under 10 minutes, but because of this, we gotta go into two districts to get there,” said Bryant…