This article was scraped from Rochester Subway. This is a blog about Rochester history and urbanism has not been published since 2017. The current owners are now publishing link spam which made me want to preserve this history.. The original article was published December 11, 2014 and can be found here.
![Next in the Wear to Where series, we look to the Irondequoit Bay Outlet Bridge. [PHOTO: Clarke Conde]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-fashion-wear-to-where-irondequoit-bay-01.jpg?ref=senseofplace.dev)
By Clarke Conde
Next in the Wear to Where series, we look to the Irondequoit Bay Outlet Bridge. For years this span of 180 feet has been less of a unifier than a divider in this community, but Senator Chuck Schumer has an idea (or rather wants someone to come up with an idea) that could change that permanently...
![This past week, Senator Chuck Schumer called for $70,000 in federal funds to study ways that both boats and cars can get though the narrow Irondequoit Bay outlet. [PHOTO: Clarke Conde]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-fashion-wear-to-where-irondequoit-bay-02.jpg?ref=senseofplace.dev)
This past week, Senator Chuck Schumer called for $70,000 in federal funds to study ways that both boats and cars can get though the narrow Irondequoit Bay outlet. Since the current bridge opened in 1998 it has been an imperfect solution to a vexing problem for all involved. From November to April, the bridge is open and the beach communities of Irondiquoit and Webster are connected. But from April to November, the bridge is moved aside and boats flow between these two towns.
![Schumer says right now, this situation is a lose-lose. The boaters are unhappy half the year and motorists and the businesses are unhappy half the year. [PHOTO: Clarke Conde]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-fashion-wear-to-where-irondequoit-bay-03.jpg?ref=senseofplace.dev)
"Right now, this situation is a lose-lose," said Schumer. "The boaters are unhappy half the year. The motorists and the businesses are unhappy half the year."
![Senator Schumer has called for a federal study, but it may be a good place to begin a larger discussion within our community about our priorities. [PHOTO: Clarke Conde]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-fashion-wear-to-where-irondequoit-bay-04.jpg?ref=senseofplace.dev)
Indeed, in many ways it is a classic urban planning problem that pits the needs of residents, businesses and visitors against one another. Senator Schumer has called for a federal study, but it may be a good place to begin a larger discussion within our community about our priorities.
Model: Melania Velasquez
Clothing: Paislee Boutique
Bracelets: Emerson & Oliver
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If you are a local boutique, maker or model that is interested in participating in the Wear to Where series, please contact Clarke Conde at clarke{at}condephotography.com
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![Local representatives have been calling for a fix to the bridge problem for years. Here, then Monroe County Legislator Stephanie Polowe-Aldersley again raised the issue at the November 1 opening bridge reopening back in 2006. [PHOTO: Clarke Conde]](https://www.rochestersubway.com/images/photos/rochester-fashion-wear-to-where-irondequoit-bay-06.jpg?ref=senseofplace.dev)
Local representatives have been calling for a fix to the bridge problem for years. In the photo above, then Monroe County Legislator Stephanie Polowe-Aldersley again raises the issue at the November 1 bridge reopening back in 2006.
