To The Editor:
Six weeks ago, Waitsfield's Bridge Street renovation project was split into two projects. Bridge Street business owners wanted to ensure that the street closure would not occur during prime earning months. The street portion of the project, which includes a new storm drain system, a new retaining wall and other above-ground improvements, was to be scheduled at a more appropriate time. The bridge portion of the project includes repairs to the timbers of the bridge and the concrete abutments supporting it, as well as replacing the bridge walkway. The bridge portion of the project was put out to bid and generated three bids: all rather high – one over $1M. The select board rejected those bids.
It's time to plan for next year and rethink a few things. The storm drain continues to degrade and each rainstorm erodes more of the approach to the bridge. Replacing the drainage system is the part of the entire project that closes the street for a month. It should be tended to ASAP due to the many unknowns about the hidden erosion that will continue until the new system is in place. The storm drain system is underneath everything else. It emerges below the wing wall/retaining wall that will replace the wood walkway at the end of the bridge. The two portions of the project are not as independent of each other as we'd like. The select board will put the bridge work back out to bid, with little or no changes. That work cannot begin before May 15 due to regulations concerning the river.
This is an opportunity to have the drainage work completed before anything else, as it should be. Our covered bridge survived Irene. She can wait until the new drainage system is completed to have her work done. We should do the street work first, starting with the storm drains. Get that out to bid ASAP, so it can happen during the earliest part of the year when Bridge Street businesses are less affected. This whole project is, after all, the first preparation for the Bicentennial celebration of our bridge. Knowing that things often take a little time around here, starting that now, with 19 years to go, seems just about right.
Gordon Sparks
Bridge Street resident
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