Potsdam board advances funding for Raquette River utility crossing

The Potsdam Village Board authorized new budget lines Nov. 2 for a project that would move a sewer line from the Raquette River bed onto a proposed pedestrian bridge between Fall Island and Garner Park.

Trustees and Mayor Alexandra Jacobs-Wilke unanimously authorized Treasurer Erica Russell to establish and increase a project revenue line to $2.4 million. The action is intended to allow the village to accept hardship financing through the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

The board also authorized a separate engineering-services budget line of up to $508,000. Potsdam has contracted with Barton & Loguidice, D.P.C., for engineering work on the utility crossing and pedestrian bridge project, under an agreement not to exceed $478,000.

The existing utility line runs along the river bed and is believed to contain asbestos. Clarkson University capstone students identified it as a priority infrastructure issue in 2023 and proposed routing a new sanitary line along a pedestrian bridge. Their initial estimate for the rerouted line was about $550,000.

The planned crossing is part of a larger effort to address aging infrastructure while adding a pedestrian connection between Fall Island and Garner Park. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has described the project as adding recreational access along Potsdam’s downtown riverfront.

The project has also raised emergency-access questions. Fire Chief Mark Bradish expressed concerns in 2025, while the mayor said the bridge was designed for a vehicle but not a fire truck.

The next regular Potsdam Village Board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 16, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Civic Center, 2 Park St. Meeting agendas and updates are posted on the Village of Potsdam website. Mayor Jacobs-Wilke can be reached at (315) 265-7480. Planning Director David Thurlow can be reached at dthurlow@villageofpotsdamny.gov.