West Hartford Legislator, Mayor Urge Bond Commission Support of Bridge Repair

The State Bond Commission is expected to vote on Wednesday, and Rep. Derek Slap and Mayor Shari Cantor urge approval of West Hartford’s desperately-needed bridge rehabilitation.

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The State Bond Commission is expected to vote on grants-in-aid for North Main Street over Trout Brook West Branch and Braeburn Road over Trout Brook at its upcoming meeting on Wednesday, July 25. Both bridges have been classified as in “poor condition” and are considered to be in desperate need of repair by the Town of West Hartford.

“With both bridges being in such desperate need of repair, I urge my colleagues to make this essential investment in West Hartford,” said State Rep. Derek Slap (D – West Hartford, Avon, and Farmington). “Reliable and modern transportation infrastructure isn’t just important for public safety, it’s critical for our economy. Motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists must be able to travel safely and efficiently and this investment will help accomplish that.”

“The Town of West Hartford is eager to rehabilitate both the North Main Street Bridge and Braeburn Road Culvert. Both structures provide essential transportation links in the Town of West Hartford,” stated West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor. “The North Main Street Bridge supports commuters from around the region and serves over 15,000 average daily vehicles. Without funding for the bridge rehabilitation, bridge replacement will be inevitable at a much higher cost in the future. We appreciate the state’s support to provide funding for this important and necessary infrastructure.”

North Main Street Bridge, constructed in 1901, is in the final stages of design with the Town of West Hartford. Though, seemingly modest in design, the bridge is the state’s first concrete bridge making it among the pioneers of what would become the 20th century’s primary building material. When construction begins, the four lane bridge will be reduced to two lanes and a sidewalk until the completion of the project.

Braeburn Road Bridge, built in 1960, is suffering from severe corrosion resulting in stability concerns. Considered to be in incredibly poor but safe condition, the Town of West Hartford is eager to begin rehabilitation to this bridge. The project to repair the bridges had been put on hold at the beginning of the year, but the delay has allowed the town to reach completion in terms of design.

The State Bond Commission is expected to vote on grants-in-aid of $814,000 for North Main Street over Trout Brook West Branch and $128,863 for Braeburn Road over Trout Brook. The Bond Commission is expected to approve the financing of grants-in-aid for the two bridges at its July 25 meeting which will be held at 10:30 a.m. in room 1-E of the Legislative Office Building.

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