Businesses impacted by the planned Fairport Liftbridge rehabilitation project may receive assistance to remain open during construction, the Fairport Office of Community & Economic Development said this week.

Fairport OCED on Wednesday said it had established a $150,000 Liftbridge Impact Fund for businesses in the Village of Fairport affected by the 2019-2020 rehab project. The organization plans to reach out to local business owners and community groups to solicit input on areas of focus and program development, officials said.

“Fairport OCED commits its resources, expertise and energies to creating lo- cal economy that is healthy and vibrant,” OCED board member and village trustee Ken Rohr said in a statement. “The funds will be available to help mitigate the impact on our local businesses to en- sure their continued success during this project.”

The nearly $9 million Liftbridge project, coordinated by the state Department of Transportation, will extend the service life of the historic bridge and improve the lifting mechanisms to provide reliable and safe operation during canal navigation season. The state DOT estimates the bridge will be out of service 13 to 15 months beginning in September 2019.

OCED also has committed $500,000 to the $1.9 million Fairport Bicentennial Gateway project, which will upgrade and enhance the banks of the Erie Canal west of the liftbridge. And additional $30,000 has been earmarked for proposed improvements to the Albert H. Knapp Rotary Pavilion at Fairport Junction.