RENSSELAERVILLE — The bridge over Ten Mile Creek in the Rensselaerville hamlet will be closed next month.

Bill Anselow, a civil engineer for the Albany County Department of Public Works, said on Monday that the bridge on Route 353 will be closed starting Aug. 5, with construction lasting around two months, though he hopes it will take less time to complete repairs.

An announcement made by the county on Tuesday states that the roadway is expected to be open by Nov. 9.

Costs for the repair work on both the Route 353 bridge and the School Road bridge in Guilderland Center is estimated at a combined $948,000, according to Mary Rozak, spokeswoman for the Albany County executive’s office. 

The Route 353 bridge connects the Rensselaerville hamlet to the post office just across the creek, as well as to the Helderberg Brewery and the restaurant Kuhar Family Farm. Rochelle and Micah Kuhar own the restaurant as well as the building that houses the post office and brewery, too. 

“Absolutely, we’ve been really, really concerned,” said Micah Kuhar of the bridge closing.

At the restaurant, maps with alternate routes have been provided, which include driving from the hamlet up Pond Hill Road to Bryan Road, and then traveling down the opposite end of Route 353, or taking Hale Road from the south.

Rochelle Kuhar said they have also been communicating to their customers about the upcoming closure. While she feels that local customers will likely find their way to the restaurant, she is concerned that those coming from farther away will have trouble and may not make a return trip.

She added that the repairs are needed because of numerous accidents at or around the bridge, which she attributes to the sudden change in speed limits from 55 to 30 miles per hour; she thinks the speed limit needs to decrease more gradually.

The bridge needs repair after being hit by vehicles over the last year, said Anselow. Its concrete deck will be replaced and a concrete barrier will be installed in place of a guardrail, said Anselow.

This week, Anselow will be notifying local agencies such as fire departments, police, schools, and town governments of the closure. Alternate routes will include traveling on Routes 357 to 351 and 359, he said.