SHELBURNE FALLS — With the Bridge of Flowers closing for repairs in late October, those planning the rehabilitation project will answer questions during an information session on Monday.

The meeting, which will be held at Buckland Town Hall starting at 6 p.m., will include presentations by engineers with Tighe & Bond and the Bridge of Flowers Committee that oversees the garden.

The rehabilitation project, which is being funded by a $2.28 million state infrastructure grant, will address cracks and stabilize the north spandrel wall, and repair areas where some of the rebar supporting the walls is failing. There has not been a major structural improvement project on the bridge since 1983, and the repair work will require the bridge to be closed throughout the 2024 season.

The Shelburne Falls Fire District, which owns the bridge, made the decision to proceed with the project with support from the Bridge of Flowers Committee and help from the Franklin Regional Council of Governments after an engineering study revealed these structural issues.

The same parties already spoke at a meeting with the West County Arts & Culture organization in an effort to ease the concerns of business owners. Bridge of Flowers Committee Chair Annette Szpila explained businesses are worried because they have already worked hard to stay open through COVID-19 lockdowns and the Bridge Street construction project, so it will be difficult to take another blow in the form of a decrease in tourism while the Bridge of Flowers is closed.

Szpila assures the community that these repairs are necessary to ensure the bridge will not need to be permanently closed in the future.

“This is an opportunity for us to prepare the bridge so it can last a long time,” she said.

Szpila said the Bridge of Flowers Committee will explain at Monday’s meeting where the flowers will be taken during the repairs and some of the changes the committee plans to make to the garden, while also addressing frequently asked questions.

The committee and other village groups plan to bulk up the cultural events schedule for the coming year to alleviate some of the burden of lost tourism revenue. Szpila said the committee will kick off this effort with an art show on Oct. 14 and 15 at the Shelburne-Buckland Community Center.

Bella Levavi can be reached at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.