CONWAY — Ask and you shall receive, even if that request is something as big as a temporary bridge.

That’s the lesson Conway learned when the state Department of Transportation (MassDOT) closed the second bridge on North Poland Road in November 2022 due to safety concerns. In response, town and school officials wrote a letter to the agency requesting it install a temporary bridge to reconnect the neighborhood beyond Poland Brook to prevent complications for residents, school buses and emergency vehicles.

MassDOT received the town’s request and, as of Feb. 16, the temporary bridge, which will span the gap until the anticipated construction completion date in 2025, is now open for residents to cross. Selectboard Chair Philip Kantor said the community rallied to get the petition to the state, and MassDOT graciously heard the town’s request.

“We were very pleased with the state, and it’s good to know that once in a while you can be pleased with your state,” he said, adding that the temporary bridge opened ahead of schedule. “We’re very grateful.”

The state closed the bridge spanning Poland Brook in November because of “extensive deterioration of the steel beams,” according to MassDOT’s project description document.

The closure prompted the town to reach out to the state with concerns about increased emergency response time, inability to access a dry fire hydrant and re-routing of school buses, which increased student travel time and added more miles to the routes.

“When your bus routes change in the middle of the school year, you have to pay pursuant to the contract with your bus provider,” Kantor explained. “We’re not a fully regionalized school district. … Our elementary school transportation costs are the responsibilities of the town.”

As the state undertakes the replacement project, it held a public hearing on Feb. 16 to showcase the 25% design stage of the project. Once completed, the replacement bridge will be longer and its roadway width will have expanded by 10 feet. The project will also reconstruct approximately 200 feet of roadway north and south of the bridge.

The design is expected to be completed in the spring of 2024 and construction will begin a year later, with an estimated finish date of fall 2025. The estimated cost of the project is $3.26 million and it will be funded by the state and federal governments.

Recapping last week’s discussion with MassDOT, Kantor said it was straightforward and he was impressed with how the state was willing to work with various stakeholders. He was also pleased to see how residents were eager to allow easements so the project can proceed.

“In this day and age, that’s remarkable,” Kantor said. “It’s one of those things where you’re looking at it and you’re proud of your town.”

To acknowledge the state’s response to the town’s request, Conway will be holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony to thank MassDOT. It will be held at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 28, by the bridge. State Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Deerfield, and MassDOT District 1 Highway Director Francisca Heming will be in attendance.

“When they do something really good,” Kantor said, “you should call them out and single them out for praise.”

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.

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