May 9, 2008
An engineer for Wells Hill Road bridge
Despite rejections, search proceeds
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by Maggie Caldwell
Hersam Acorn Newspapers
Although four different firms have told Easton officials they would not build a one-lane, 14-foot-wide bridge on Wells Hill Road, the search for an engineer who will continues.
At its meeting last Thursday, the Easton Board of Selectmen debated whether or not to scrap the town’s approved design and come up with a new set of plans. The project is to replace the current one-lane bridge over the Aspetuck River that was severely damaged in a rainstorm in April 2006.
Originally, the board had set early this fall as the time to begin construction on the bridge, which lies in Easton but connects to Wells Hill Road in Weston. However, the delays caused by engineers’ refusals have pushed back the start time into next year.
Any changes made to plans in terms of design or cost would have to be presented to Easton’s finance board and land use commissions for their approval — a process that could take months.
Since the project has now been pushed into 2009, the Easton selectmen decided time is on the town’s side to find an engineer who will accept the approved design.
Two firms, Tectonic Engineering & Surveying Consultants and Cardinal Engineers, said they would only build the bridge under the desired dimensions if the town assumed all future liabilities.
Tectonic, the original firm hired to do the work, sought an indemnification letter from the town after deeming the design “substandard” because it doesn’t meet federal standards for state reimbursement. The state instead favors a two-lane, 22-foot-wide bridge for the site, basing its assessment on the amount of daily traffic the bridge typically received when it was open.
Residents of the immediate area were vehemently in favor of a one-lane design, saying a two-lane bridge would increase traffic through the quiet residential neighborhood.
After Tectonic walked away from the project following the Easton Board of Selectmen’s refusal to sign a hold harmless letter, the town then approached Anchor Engineering, the second lowest bidder. A representative of that firm said it would only be willing to design a one-lane bridge if the dimensions are made larger and the road is designated as one-way.
Last week, Easton First Selectman Tom Herrmann received a letter from Arnold Weitzman, vice president of AI Engineers, which is undertaking the Senior Center expansion project in Easton. Mr. Weitzman, who said he is a highway and environmental engineer with 30 years’ experience, reviewed correspondence between the town and the state Department of Transportation about the proposed dimensions of the bridge.
“I do not believe you will find a professional engineer that will place their stamp on a design that does not meet [national] or state design standards,” he said. “The greatest concern is the legal and financial liability that the engineer and town would face if you proceeded with a substandard design.”
Residents of the neighborhood have engaged Joel Green, a Bridgeport-based lawyer, to help find a firm that would consider building the bridge under the town’s approved design.
Mr. Green spoke with Steve McDonnell of WMC Consulting Engineers, a firm out of Newington, who initially said he would consider “rehabbing” the current structure. Upon closer examination, Mr. McDonnell said instead he would opt to build a new bridge, First Selectman Herrmann reported on Friday. Ed Nagy, Easton town engineer, is slated to meet with Mr. McDonnell this week to discuss the project.
The Easton selectmen will decide at their meeting June 5 on the next course of action for this project. If WMC falls through, the board may consider other design options.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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