ALBION, N.Y. — Across New York and around the country, supply chain issues are being blamed for delays in road and bridge projects. In one western New York community, a bridge project that was supposed to be done in the spring has cut off traffic to part of Albion’s downtown. Some merchants and residents say they’ve had enough.

Splitting the village of Albion right down the middle is the Erie Canal. The main road that goes over it, Route 98, is the cause of worry for business owners like Randy Ruhlman.

"It makes no sense," said Ruhlman, who owns a bar and restaurant in the village. "It's very challenging and very frustrating."

The 110-year-old Albion lift bridge has been closed for repairs since late 2022.

“Initially it was supposed to take a year, I think it was,” said Joe Gehl, a member of the group Albion Betterment Committee.

The project was initially slated to be finished this past spring.

“The latest I’ve heard is December,” said David Snell, whose family-run real estate business has been around since the 1950s. “But I don’t know if that’s accurate.”

The project’s delay has many merchants worried. On North Main Street, there’s very little traffic. Some storefronts are empty. Ruhlman now has second thoughts about buying his bar four years ago.

“It was not a very good business decision,” he said. “I’m hoping that once the bridge gets open and we get flow traffic again, that that will change. So I'm going to stick it out, but it keeps extending so I don't know how much longer I'm going to last.”

“This kind of bridge in this location, being out of commission for as long as it's been out of commission, really hurts people who sunk money into business down here,” said Gary Kent, also a member of the Albion Betterment Committee.

The group recently sent a letter to the state, asking for a faster completion of the project.

The New York State Department of Transportation says supply chain issues have held up several projects across the state, delaying the delivery of materials to finish the Albion bridge job.

“It's frustrating from a perspective of, give us a time and day and we'll live with it,” said Ruhlman. “But the day keeps getting extended. And the challenge is, when’s it going to end?”

The DOT issued the following statement:

“The New York State Department of Transportation recognizes the importance of the State Route 98 lift bridge over the Erie Canal to the Village of Albion and the Orleans County community and we have been working to expedite the repair of this crossing. Unfortunately, there have been delays in the delivery of the materials needed for the repairs and the project was unable to meet the original timeframe for construction. NYSDOT is working closely with our contractor to resolve these issues and complete the work as expeditiously and safely as possible. At this time, the anticipated reopening is slated for this winter, weather permitting. We appreciate the public’s patience as we continue this important project, and we will continue to keep the community updated on its progress.”

As for the letter-writing campaign, time will tell if it makes a difference.

“I don’t think so,” said Ruhlman. “I think it’s going to go on deaf ears.”

“I’m hopeful,” said Kent. “It’s worth a try.”

DOT recently notified the village that contractors would work a week of double shifts to move some of the work along. Village officials in Albion say the latest word they’ve received is the bridge should reopen the week before Christmas.

“I suspect when they get the job done, things will brighten up,” said Snell.