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Date: 2/7/2023
WESTHAMPTON – The first public meeting for the project to replace the bridge on Perry Hill Road Extension took place on Jan. 31. Groundbreaking for the new span is scheduled for the spring of 2024.
According to Mass Department of Transportation (MassDOT) project manager Harry Adolphe, the project design will be completed this fall, construction will start next year, with the new bridge completed in summer of 2025. Construction will take about eight months, with a hiatus during the winter.
The current bridge is located about 500 feet southwest of the intersection of Kings Highway and Hathaway Road Foot, bicycle and vehicle traffic will be suspended. A detour will probably reroute traffic along the east branch of Perry Hill Road Extension to Kings Highway.
The new span will feature concrete culverts that rest on concrete footings. The total width will reach 18 feet 3 inches, slightly wider than the current one-lane bridge, and will also feature a single lane. Three steel I-beams will support the concrete deck, approximately 18 inches thick, to be covered with gravel. Adolphe said impacts to nearby properties will not be significant.
“This structure has minimal required maintenance, and overall, is the most economical option,” Adolphe said. “The roadway will be raised approximately 6 inches.”
The project footprint will extend 90 feet to the south and 110 feet to the north, with a total length of 225 feet. The only concrete to be poured on site will be curbing on the culverts, which will anchor the guardrails. New guardrails will be installed on the approaches.
Information on the MassDOT website shows federal money will pay for 80 percent of project costs, or $1,494,236. The commonwealth, with a Transportation Improvement Program grant of $373,559, will pay for the other 20 percent. The town will be responsible for acquisition costs for a right-of-way or easements.
The bridge does not see a lot of traffic, according to resident Kirk Heidinger. Heidinger was one of only a few local people to call into the Zoom meeting. Heidinger questioned whether the town should think twice about doing a full bridge replacement. He thought a bridge suitable only for bicycle traffic would be a better option.
“If you look at the design,” Heidinger said, “it seems overbuilt for what the town needs. The town might be better served with something for bikes only. [Another resident] was asking about the environmental characteristics of this area. It’s at the bottom of a waterfall. It has great charm and beauty.”
Heidinger told MassDOT officials that trout pass under the bridge and congregate under the nearby waterfall. The area has a lot of wildlife. He thought the project should be brought to residents for further consideration.
Jeff Lewis, project engineer for design consultant Garofalo Assoc., countered Heidinger’s claim the project is larger than the current bridge.
“The new bridge won’t be two lanes wide, it’ll only be one lane,” Lewis said. “The curb to curb width will be 13 feet 9 inches, so it’s only slightly larger” than the existing bridge.
Resident Don Yu questioned the environmental protections on the project. According to Lewis, a sediment basin will be created near the bridge site to prevent any impacts on the Manhan River. The size of the basin will be determined by the extent of possible impacts and how much water has to be pumped into the basin. Planking will also be temporarily installed under the deck, while under construction, to prevent concrete and stones from falling into the river.
Abutter David Blakesly’s driveway will require a right-of-way. He did not voice any suggestions for betterment of the project.
“I heard you say you’re going to do away with some of the bituminous pavement there,” Blakesly said. “I understand you may have to cut it back, but any asphalt you remove, I would request that it be put back on that access road.”
The end of Blakesly’s driveway will see 4 to 6 feet of pavement replaced. That pavement will be altered to meet the new height of the roadway, which will be elevated an additional 6 inches above the existing road bed.
Resident Don Yu asked about the time frame to make suggestions. At this point, Lewis explained, there is no formal procedure to follow. The design will grow more detailed by August 2023, when the 100 percent design phase is reached, after which a 60 day window for comments will open before the design is locked. Residents may make suggestions or comments at any time up to that point.
Carrie E. Lavallee, chief engineer on the project, can be contacted by e-mail at MassDOTProjectManagement@dot.state.ma.us. The subject line should include project file number 610768.
Town Administrator Doug Finn encouraged residents to check the town’s website for updates on the project.
“All along, through this process, we will try to keep the residents of Westhampton aware of the project,” Finn said. “I would encourage anyone…to get on our website and subscribe to news and updates.”