Future of McBride Viaduct Narrowed Down - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

Future of McBride Viaduct Narrowed Down

Since 2010, the McBride Viaduct has been closed to traffic after engineers declared it unsafe.

But efforts to reopen the bridge, continue to this day.

On Monday, members of the Citizen Advisory Committee for the McBride Viaduct Project met with  L.R. Kimball consulting firm, to get an update on the future of the bridge.  As of now, it's been narrowed down to four options.

"That would be a bridge rehabilitation, a bridge replacement, and then off-site improvements at East 20th and Buffalo Road," said Brian Krul of L.R. Kimball.  "Those two off-site improvements would include demolition of the bridge."

But members of the advisory group say the options are causing some concern.

"We're entering too many gray areas," said McBride Viaduct Advisory Member Father Jerry Priscaro.  "That's why we believe rehabilitation or the building of a new bridge are the best alternatives of all."

Depending on which option they go with, the project will cost anywhere from $3 to $15 million.  Federal money will cover 80 percent of the costs.  The state will pay 15 percent, and the city of Erie will fund the remaining 5 percent.

The consultant firm is expected to make a decision by June of next year.