SHELBURNE FALLS — The Bridge of Flowers, closed at the end of the 2023 season for needed repair work, will reopen on the day of the annual plant sale, Saturday, May 11.

The bridge was not expected to open this season, but a regional dearth of bidders on big projects such as this and an over-budget bid have delayed the start of the work.

The Shelburne Falls Fire District, which owns the span, received a $2.28 million grant through the Community One Stop for Growth program for the repair project in 2022. Now the Fire District has applied for increased state funding and the Bridge of Flowers Committee has pledged good faith money to support that request.

The Bridge of Flowers Committee, recognizing the importance of the bridge in the community, is opening it as a service while members and the Shelburne Falls Fire District await the latest word regarding the repair project. While no one is promising the bridge will be open all season, the committee intends to keep it open for as long as possible.

Members advise that the gardens will not be in top form as most plants have been moved off-site for the duration of the repair work. They will be returned in the 2025 season, when the Bridge of Flowers is expected to reopen fully.

“We want to be good neighbors while we await more information from the engineers and the state,” said Annette Szpila, Bridge of Flowers Committee co-chair, asking for visitors’ patience while “we try to do the right thing and meet all the needs.”

Szpila said the Bridge of Flowers Committee intends to “keep the bridge shovel-ready” so construction can proceed in the event that a resolution is reached.

In 2020, Tighe & Bond engineers were hired to complete a structural assessment of the bridge. The assessment was done to review cracking on the north side wall and took into consideration the extreme flooding during Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. There has not been a major structural improvement project on the bridge since 1983.

The study recommended addressing cracks and stabilizing the north spandrel wall. Tighe & Bond also noted that some of the rebar supporting the walls is failing, though the bridge is not considered to be in imminent danger.

Plant sale returns

The annual plant sale will be held at the Baptist Lot on the corner of Main and Water streets, rain or shine.

“I am hopeful for beautiful sunny spring weather for our plant sale,” said Lynda Leitner, plant sale chair and Bridge of Flowers Committee co-chair. “I know, regardless of the weather, there will be many people there happy with their plants and knowing they have helped to support the Bridge of Flowers.”

Visitors can choose from perennial plants grown in bridge gardens and annuals from local gardens and nurseries. Proceeds from plant sales will support bridge maintenance and upkeep.

Featured again this year will be a garden-themed tag sale, a bake sale and soil testing. Proceeds from the tag and bake sales go to the Bridge of Flowers Committee’s umbrella organization, the Shelburne Falls Area Women’s Club, and its scholarship fund.

Residents can drop off donated items for the tag sale — garden implements and tools, ceramic/decorative pots (no plastic), gardening gloves, ornaments and other plant-themed items — at the Senior Center, located at 7 Main St., on Thursday, May 9, from 4 to 6 p.m. and Friday, May 10, from noon 3 p.m. Books will not be accepted.

The volunteer Bridge of Flowers Committee that oversees the flowering span will celebrate the bridge’s centennial in 2025. Members donate their time to tend and irrigate flower beds, arrange for plumbing/electrical help if needed, open the gates, and raise money for the bridge.

For more information, visit bridgeofflowersmass.org.

Virginia Ray serves on the Bridge of Flowers Committee in the role of secretary and spearheading publicity.