Town officials concerned over bridge project

Renovations would temporarily shut down Route 148 strucuture

By Ruth M. Lyon

Turley Publications Reporter

BROOKFIELD – Members of several departments met with the board of selectmen Tuesday to question recent communications from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (DOT) and other entities regarding plans to rehabilitate the bridge carrying Fiskdale Road (Route 148) over the CSX railroad.

As a result of that meeting, a letter comprising questions from selectmen, police, fire department, emergency/rescue, highway and water departments will be composed and sent to Harrington, John Fallon, DOT Highway Division project manager, and to state officials.

In a letter received on July 21 from project manager Paul Harrington, the board was advised that the proposed project is to begin at a point approximately 400 feet south of bridge No. B-26-003 and will extend north along Fiskdale Road to the Mill Street/Pleasant Street/Lower river Street intersection, a distance of approximately 600 feet.

“The existing bridge superstructure will be raised to provide a 21-foot clearance over the CSX rail line. The bridge abutment back walls and wing walls will be modified as needed. The bridge railing will be replaced with a solid concrete CP-Pl2 barrier. The sidewalk will be reconstructed to match the existing 5 - 6 foot width. A type II protective screen will be installed on the outside edge of the bridge on the same side as the sidewalk,” the letter continues.

The letter goes on to state that construction will be completed in two stages to allow for alternating one-way traffic to be maintained one lane at a time, “with a complete closure of the bridge for as brief a time as possible while working around the clock.”

When that letter was read at the following selectmen’s meeting, safety concerns were immediately raised by the board and other officials.

Acting Police Chief Doug Blood and Highway Superintendent Herbert Chaffee immediately reacted, stating that the plan was flawed and could not be allowed, as a large section of town would be inaccessible to emergency vehicles and personnel.

Administrative Secretary Donna Neylon was directed to respond to Harrington, naming the town’s concerns and safety officials’ adverse reactions to the plans, and asking whether there would be a grade crossing to accommodate such crossing as might be necessary during the time the bridge was closed.

In an e-mailed response, Harrington, of the engineering firm Fay, Spofford & Thorndike, LLC, in Burlington, MA thanked Neylon for the input and stated that the firm was aware of the town’s concerns, which, he said, “were clearly expressed to us at the early meetings and will be included as part of the design and construction.”

The letter stated that “We anticipate that one lane on the bridge will be available to allow emergency vehicles to cross the bridge throughout the closure. During the actual jacking operation, we will utilize blocking to ensure that the breams have sufficient support at all times…Access to the bridge during periods when the contractor is not on site will be controlled with locked gates on either sides of the bridge.”

The officials present questioned those remarks, observing that contradictory statements were made, such as a 24-hour-a-day work schedule, and access to the bridge being closed when the contractor is not on site, among other instances.

Other questions raised related to the creation of “blind spots,” where already dangerous spots near the bridge might be made worse, and others created.

Water Superintendent Bruce Clarke expressed concern for plans for increasing the depth of covering of the water main. “We created what we have for our capabilities. We do not own the equipment for dealing with that should there be a problem,” he said. “This plan creates a problem we shouldn’t have.”

Fire Chief Peter Martel and Blood added their voices to the objections, reiterating earlier statements that the access across the railway must be available at all times, with no exceptions. “It’s not that we anticipate the need for a lot of emergency vehicles to get across, it’s that we need access for the one that might be necessary, and for personnel also in such a case. It’s a risk we can’t take. Even that one call can be crucial,” Martel said.

Blood observed that there are three mobile home parks in the affected area, adding to concerns. After an hour of discussion, all present agreed that Neylon should compose a letter that would be submitted to the selectmen and to police, safety, highway and water department officials for their questions for the DOT, Neylon would suggest a meeting clearly addressing those issues, and including officials from the state, railroad officials, and the engineering firm.