OSWEGO, N.Y. — With college students returning to campus and one of the city’s busiest weekends at the Oswego Speedway fast approaching, local drivers are facing a temporary change to their commute. The City of Oswego has closed the Utica Street Bridge to allow crews to install a new water main.

The closure began on Monday, August 25, and is expected to last until Wednesday, September 3, city officials confirmed. The work is concentrated on the bridge’s west end, near the intersection with West First Street.

Mayor Robert Corradino acknowledged that the timing may be difficult for residents, students, and visitors, but stressed the importance of the project.

“We recognize the inconvenience this temporary closure may cause,” Corradino said in a news release, “but this work is essential for the continued safety and reliability of our water system. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we complete this necessary upgrade.”

During the closure, vehicles are being rerouted to the city’s other main crossing point — the Bridge Street Bridge, which remains open to handle the extra traffic. Detour maps have been posted to help drivers navigate the change.

Despite the construction, businesses located near the Utica Street Bridge remain open, and city officials encourage residents to continue supporting them during the disruption.

The project comes at a particularly busy time for Oswego, with thousands of students returning to SUNY Oswego and the city preparing to host a major racing weekend at the Oswego Speedway, which typically draws large crowds. City leaders and engineers emphasized that completing the water main installation now will help prevent future service interruptions and reduce the likelihood of more disruptive emergency repairs later.

The Utica Street Bridge is one of only two river crossings in Oswego, making it a critical link for daily traffic flow. The city has prioritized completing the work swiftly, with crews operating on an accelerated schedule to meet the early September reopening goal.

Originally reported by Quinn Youngs in Local SYR.