BAINBRIDGE – State and local officials were on hand in Bainbridge Tuesday to dedicate the first roundabout in Chenango County. The new traffic circle is part of a roughly $5.3 million project which involved construction of a new bridge and the continuation of water and sewer lines across the Susquehanna River.

New York State Senator Thomas Libous, who worked closely with local officials and helped secure federal and state funding for the project, was on hand along with representatives from the New York State Department of Transportation.

Town Supervisor Rick E. Chase began the dedication ceremony by taking the time to thank those responsible for making the project happen. “This entire project ... involved many players,” he said.

Before turning over the podium to Libous, Chase expressed his appreciation to the senator for his financial support of the project, former Bainbridge Supervisor Hugh Kearney for his efforts to move the project forward and the town’s residents for their patience.

“Today is about safety. Safety and economic development,” said Libous. The state senator said that Kearney initially contacted him about the project because the town was concerned about the number of accidents that were occurring at the intersection of state Rt. 206 and county Rt. 39 and was looking to encourage business development.

“Part of the strategic plan for the town of Bainbridge was to develop on this side of the river,” said Kearney. Getting water and sewer lines across the river was an obstacle to that development.

“Many times government does things backward,” said Libous, detailing how Bainbridge was an exception because of what he called the “sweat equity” of local business people and elected officials.

In his remarks, Dave Hamburg, the New York State Department of Transportation’s regional representative, referred to the roundabout as a “beautiful gateway to this great community.”