OXFORD – Oxford’s Main Street bridge project has been delayed yet again, according to the county’s top public works official.

Work to replace the deteriorating 55-year old bridge which links the Village of Oxford’s east and west sides was originally slated to begin in 2009, but has been postponed multiple times. Earlier this year, bid letting for the project was scheduled for Dec. 9. Now that date has been pushed back to May of 2011.

Chenango County Director of Public Works Randy Gibbon attributes this latest setback to funding issues.

“Federal and state moneys are just not there,” he explained.

Part of the problem is that the estimated cost of the project, initially expected to come in at approximately $3.2 million, has risen.

“It is currently $3,618,000,” Gibbon said. Which leaves the project roughly $400,000 short, an amount which neither the county nor the village is “in a position” to absorb. As a result, the county official said that aspects of the project which are not structurally important may need to be “pared back.” Such items might include reducing the number of street lights from 8 to 6, he explained.

There is still a chance, given the current economic climate, that the project will be able to be completed according to its current scope of work within the initial budget. According to Gibbon, it will all depend on how “hungry” contractors are and where the bids come in.