NYSDOT Statement on Higginsville Road Bridge Situation in Verona [UPDATE}

UPDATED 9/6 2:17 p.m.- Work to dismantle the bridge over the Erie Canal on Higginsville Road in the Town of Verona continues.

State Department of Transportation spokesman Jim Piccola says the truss was pulled down safely last night and an excavator with shears will cut and dismantle the truss.

He says all operations have gone according to plan and there is absolutely no danger to the public.

Work is expected to continue throughout the day and the DOT will let the public know when that section of the Erie Canal will re-open.

The bridge has been closed since 2008 and was on the verge of collapsing.

Original story:

A bridge being reconstructed in the town of Verona will have to be torn down after the structure shifted today and made it unsafe.

That from New York State Department of Transportation Region 2 Public Information Officer Jim Piccola, who tells WIBX: ''During construction of the new Higginsville Road Bridge - which has been closed since 2008 and was in the process of being demolished - the existing structure experienced a shift. The New York State Department of Transportation assessed the situation and is developing plans to immediately remove the structure safely. There is absolutely no danger to the public, however, out of an abundance of caution, the Erie Canal will be closed to boat traffic in that area until further notice.''