Clemens Center Parkway Bridge fire still under investigation

ELMIRA, N.Y. ( WETM ) — The fire that closed a portion of the Clemens Center Parkway Bridge for months is still under investigation.

According to a news release from Elmira Fire Chief Andrew Mallow, the cause of the July 11 fire under the northbound side of the bridge is considered undetermined at this time. Mallow says that the Elmira Fire Department and the Elmira Police Department are investigating the fire, and no further information will be released unless there are new developments in the investigation.

Multiple pieces of furniture along with large volumes of trash fueled the fire that consumed most of the area under the bridge, and firefighters got it under control within five minutes. The northbound side of the Clemens Center Bridge has been closed since the fire broke out, and crews from the New York State Department of Transportation are working on repairs.

Testing at the end of July revealed that the steel girders under the bridge sustained permanent bending, and the bridge’s bearings needed to be replaced. The southbound lanes were determined to be in good condition and safe for traffic.

The northbound side of the bridge is expected to reopen by the end of September. Repairs and temporary lane closures will continue after the bridge reopens.

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