Bridges get stimulus
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McKinley Avenue Bridge near the Vermont State Police Troop C barracks is due to have its deck replaced this summer. Albert J. Marro / Rutland Herald |
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By Gordon Dritschilo Staff Writer - Published: July 4, 2009
At least two Rutland County bridges will get deck repairs using federal stimulus money.
Bridge 17 on Route 144 in Benson is looking at an estimated $200,000 in repairs, Vermont Agency of Transportation spokesman John Zicconi said Tuesday, while the bridge on McKinley Avenue near Route 7 in Rutland Town is looking at $400,000. Both projects will require a 5 percent local match.
"The Legislature wanted us to take $5 million in stimulus funds and target town highway bridges with it," Zicconi said. "This is not a project the town has to do, but we'll be doing them in conjunction with the town."
As time is a factor with the stimulus money, Zicconi said AOT looked for bridges deemed structurally deficient due to their decks and disqualified spots where repairs would require temporary bridges or extensive work to other elements.
"A deck is something you can do relatively quickly," he said. "We took a look around the state and Benson had a bridge that qualified. We'll target that bridge for repairs next year."
Zicconi said he did not have details on the Rutland Town bridge, but that he believed it was in similar condition to the one in Benson.
Benson Selectwoman Sue Janssen said the town has been trying to get the Route 144 bridge repaired for more than a decade and already has the local match put away in a dedicated reserve fund. Rutland Town Administrator Joseph Zingale said he expected to discuss the McKinley Avenue bridge with the Select Board at its next meeting.
Zicconi said AOT has identified about a dozen bridges around the state.
"We're looking at a couple others that are still touch-and-go," he said. "We haven't announced the others yet."
gordon.dritschilo@rutlandherald.com
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