Every day I go over the Chautauqua Lake Bridge at least two or three times. You can see that a lot is going on there, and good weather has obviously helped construction activities move along.

Last week, as I entered the expressway and bridge eastbound at Stow–I followed a huge semi-truck hauling what looked like something you would see in the oil or gas fields. It was a combination of pumps, holding tanks, pipes, hoses and gadgets of all kinds. It slowed down and pulled over into the construction area on the south side of the bridge.

Apparently, it is a sophisticated sand-blasting machine.

Corroded areas, especially in bolted areas, are being cleaned, sand-blasted and prepared for a special cement slurry which will cover and protect these areas in the future.

This is good news for the bridge and for those who use it because salt and slush corrosion will always be a factor on the Chautauqua Lake Bridge. Our harsh weather means that we must continually remove snow to have a skid-proof road surface on the bridge. Unfortunately, there is nothing that melts snow better than salt.

Seeing such a massive sand-blasting machine also reminds us of why the projected cost of the bridge repairs was estimated at $78 million. This is an expensive-looking piece of equipment – not a cheap date. Perhaps, we will find that the ultimate cost of the bridge repair job will even exceed the estimate.

I have also heard that the DOT has acquired a special plow so that the two, now-narrowed, lanes of the bridge can be kept open once the snow begins.

I know that there has been some concern expressed on social media as to the current safety of the bridge. However, the DOT would not allow the bridge to be used if there were any safety issues, and the agency has reassured the traveling public that it is safe.

You may have also noticed the placement of some large steel frame structures on the bridge. These are used when the girders are being lifted so that old bridge bearings can be replaced with new ones. I have heard that about half of the bearings supporting the two south lanes have now been replaced – so progress is being made there.

Cranes and other equipment can also be seen assisting the workers down below who are chipping out damaged concrete and replacing damaged rebar. Forms are then constructed with new rebar installed and fresh concrete poured. There is also what looks like a large manhole that has been cut through the old decking to allow access to the subdeck below.

Bridge repair is a slow process. It takes a lot of hard work, and those doing it will be working through the winter. I saw workmen on site even on Veteran’s Day. Wage rates go up on holidays, but as my Dad used to say: “You have to make hay when the sun shines!” When you have good weather, bridge repair must go ahead.

In summary, things are moving ahead on this important piece of public infrastructure. Twenty- mile-long Chautauqua Lake is a beautiful natural resource but, until the bridge was built, it divided this county from east to west. With the bridge, we now have a link in bringing our county and our lakeside communities together.

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.