Wallingford bridge sidewalk closed
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The pedestrian walkway is closed on Route 140 in Wallingford. Vyto Starinskas / Rutland Herald |
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By SANDI SWITZER HERALD CORRESPONDENT - Published: October 31, 2009
WALLINGFORD – The sidewalk spanning the Route 140 West bridge has been closed to pedestrian traffic until bridge repairs are completed next summer.
Cement blocks have been placed at both entrances to the walkway on the north side of the village structure to prevent pedestrians from using it to cross Otter Creek.
"We recommended it being closed after we performed a detailed field inspection of the bridge," said Robert Durfee of the Randolph-based consulting engineering firm DuBois and King Inc. "We noticed a continued deterioration of the sidewalk support girder."
The firm was hired by the town to design repairs and approach sidewalks for the bridge. Routine inspections allow the firm to monitor the structure's rate of deterioration prior to the work next summer, according to Durfee.
"The inspection was to assess the condition of the bridge to identify repairs that would occur in 2010," he said. "We were always intending on making repairs to the support girder for the sidewalk as part of that construction."
However, the results of the latest inspection indicated the deterioration had continued to a level that the walkway should be closed, Durfee said.
"We just felt it could not wait until repairs were made next year, so as a safety measure we've recommended the town close the sidewalk."
Durfee said all elements of the bridge have been inspected, including the trusses and deck that support the traffic lanes. "Those are in fair condition. We found no concern in the condition of those elements that would give us any alarm," he explained.
The engineer indicated it was his understanding the town did not maintain the bridge walkway during the winter months. The foot traffic on the structure mainly occurred in the warmer months, he said.
"Truck, car or pedestrian traffic over the travel lanes of the bridge are safe," Durfee said.
The town received a $300,000 Agency of Transportation Enhancement grant for the project, which requires a $75,000 local match.
Town administrator Julie Sharon indicated there was $35,000 in this year's municipal budget for the upgrades, and the balance of the local match would be included in the next fiscal spending plan.
The bridge work would go out to bid in late spring and repairs completed next summer, according to Sharon.
Bridge work includes cleaning and repainting the structure, installation of guardrails, curbing, crosswalks and security fencing as well as the sidewalk repairs.
In a related matter, a 117-foot pedestrian bridge was installed over Otter Creek on Tuesday a short distance south of the Route 140 bridge.
"I would think the town would look at that as the bypass for the sidewalk that's closed on the bridge right now," Durfee said.
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