Published: 8/10/2022 4:01:49 PM
Modified: 8/10/2022 3:58:33 PM
MONTAGUE — The state Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is funding the design of a small bridge on Swamp Road over Goddard Brook through its Municipal Small Bridge Program, Town Planner Walter Ramsey announced at this week’s Selectboard meeting.
The state grant is part of February’s $95 million Municipal Small Bridge Program relaunch that funds up to $100,000 for design and permitting work centered around either repairing or replacing a bridge spanning between 10 and 20 feet in length. Prior to receiving a grant award for the Swamp Road Bridge, Montague had not seriously considered rehabilitation or replacement of the structure. The town, however, “only has a handful” of bridges that meet the criteria of the Municipal Small Bridge Program, according to Ramsey.
“We recently rehabbed the Chestnut Hill Loop Bridge with this program and we don’t have any small bridges in this program that are kind of at their critical stage,” Ramsey said. “The bridge over Swamp Road and Goddard Brook is in fair condition, but it’s approaching poor and serious condition.”
Woburn-based contractor Bayside Engineering, who has been contracted by the state, is now “pulling together information for a design process,” Ramsey said.
In February, Town Administrator Steve Ellis said the Municipal Small Bridge Program is one Montague has used recently and the town would be interested in pursuing grant funding again.
“It’s very valuable, and also really only addresses one particular class of bridges,” Ellis said previously. “It’s an important part of a broader solution.”
Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-772-0261, ext. 261 or jmendoza@recorder.com.