The Peru Gazette

Peru, NY December 4, 2023 – Luck Brothers will meet New York State Department of Transportation officials at about 9 a.m., and if all goes as planned, the Route 9 Carpenter’s Flat Bridge should reopen for travel about that time. Luck Bros. on-the-job foreman Travis Breyette commented, “It’s been a good project.” Asked if it resembled constructing a new Northway bridge, he responded, “This is more difficult. It was much like remodeling an old house.” The American Bridge Co. completed the Carpenter’s Flat Bridge in 1941. It appears on the National Register of Historic Places.

Work started on July 9 this year. Hopefully, the $6.2 million project to further elevate the bridge will prevent it from being damaged by the Ausable River’s frequent ice jams. The river is unpredictable. Breyette recalled that following heavy rains last summer, the water level rose eight feet in one day. 

Breyette’s pride regarding this project outcome is easy to sense, especially when he asked if he could borrow your reporter’s iPhone to take photos beneath the bridge where most of the work occurred. Fifteen to twenty Luck Bros. personnel have typically worked on the project at any given time.  

Luck Bros. performed the most significant portions, while subcontractors performed specialized aspects. A bridge painting contractor sandblasted and painted the bridge structure. As the project neared completion, another subcontractor raised the 2 million pound bridge 3.5 ft., assisted by Luck Bros. personnel. Luck Bros. personnel removed and replaced significant parts of the bridge’s concrete support structure. They used jackhammers to remove the old concrete pedestals holding the bridge before pouring new ones.  

People passing over the bridge will appreciate its broad approaches, new roadway, guardrails, curbing, and line striping.