Bridges are always in need of maintenance or repair, given all the traffic that goes over them and the harsh weather they endure. Eventually, however, they need to be replaced. The bridge over the Susquehanna River on Main Street in Oneonta has been replaced six times during the history of the area.

In 1977, the bridge was in such poor condition that it had to be closed March 30. A portion of the bridge that held the arch of the span together was badly damaged. The city and the state Department of Transportation didn’t want to take any chances with a catastrophe, so they closed it.

Fortunately, a replacement had already been planned, set for completion by 1978.

The early closure caused an inconvenience for motorists, as they already knew the bridge would close later that year. For several days, officials debated on whether or not to make temporary repairs before the scheduled closing.

Repairs were made, and the bridge was re-opened Friday, May 6.

Bids for contracts went out in early June. By Aug. 4, the 1933 bridge was closed and demolition began. It was all part of a state-funded project that replaced the bridge, widened Main Street, replaced the old viaduct over the railroad tracks, and then widened the rest of Main Street to the corner of Chestnut Street, all completed before 1980.

Going back to Oneonta’s first bridge over the Susquehanna takes us to 1786. One of the first settlers, John Vanderwerker, built what was described as a railless bridge made of wood. This was close to the site of Vanderwerker’s gristmill, which was near today’s Carbon Street and Neahwa Park entrance from Main Street. The bridge was a short distance up the river from the present site.

The span was washed away by floodwaters a few years later. In 1808, James McDonald replaced it with another simple wooden crossing.

This was used until 1835, when the building of the Franklin Turnpike made a better bridge necessary. This was a wooden covered bridge found approximately where the present bridge is. This was built by William Richardson and made of clear, hewed pine fastened with white oak pins two inches in diameter.

The covered bridge lasted until 1888 when it was replaced by an iron structure, which was considered one of the wonders of this part of the state at the time.

The Oneonta Weekly Spy said of the bridge, "Before 10 o’clock scores of teams and hundreds of people had tested and approved the new and handsome structure, which we hope may endure until at least 1999, or a century or two longer."

Residents had to put up with the inconvenience of closure while the iron bridge was built. For 128 days they used a lower river bridge. However, you could cross the river for five cents on a rowboat ferry operated by Delos Watkins.

The bridge was opened to the public on Jan. 22, 1889.

There was no such luck with this iron bridge lasting until 1999. With heavier traffic, it only lasted until 1930, when it was condemned. Three years later, the structure that lasted until 1977 was opened.

This weekend: We’ll recall industrial leader and benefactor Owen D. Young, of Van Hornesville.

City Historian Mark Simonson’s column appears twice weekly. On Saturdays, his column focuses on the area during the Depression and before. His Monday columns address local history after the Depression. If you have feedback or ideas about the column, write to him at The Daily Star, or e-mail him at simmark@stny.rr.com. His website is www.oneontahistorian.com.