What to do with the crumbling Depot Street Bridge?

By PATRICK ADRIAN
[email protected]
BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. — The Rockingham Selectboard has to decide in the coming weeks whether to replace the Depot Street Bridge in its existing location or build a new, angled bridge that would shift the flow of traffic farther north.

Proponents of each option offered their opinions at last night’s selectboard meeting, with members split over questions of cost and economic development. Town Manager Wendy Harrison said that the board did not need to make a decision at this time but should use this period to gather community input and other feedback, and give the state a project decision by Aug. 6.

In November, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (V-Trans) presented the selectboard with several options to address the crumbling 110-year-old Depot Street Bridge that connects the lower section of Bellows Falls’ historic downtown to the island, which has both residential and commercial property. The report cited crumbling concrete and exposed steel beneath the bridge’s arch and the possibility of hazardous contamination of soil, which the town would have to mitigate if they elect to remove and replace the bridge.

Though the state would fund the majority of whichever bridge project is chosen, each option comes with costs or liabilities.

Because the alternative, angled bridge would be a more expensive project, the town’s portion to build the alternative bridge is estimated to cost $353,100, whereas the town’s portion to replace Depot Street Bridge would cost approximately $172,000.

V-Trans said that Rockingham would have to cover the full cost to mitigate any hazardous soil at the Depot Street Bridge, which the agency states could cost up to $140,000. However, Board Chair Peter Golec, who expressed concerns about the alternative bridge project, said that even if hazardous soil is confirmed the town could likely secure grant funding to cover the cleanup costs.

Building a bridge in a different location would also shift state funding support from Depot Street Bridge to the new one, which would hold Rockingham responsible for dealing with the old Depot Street Bridge down the road.

However, Harrison said that if the town pursues the alternative bridge project, V-Trans would also resurface Depot Street Bridge and convert it into a pedestrian bridge, which the state said would prolong the bridge’s life.

Due to decades of damage from road salts and strain from commercial trucks and other heavy vehicles, Depot Street Bridge only has an estimated further life span of 20 years. If only carrying pedestrians, the state projects it to last an extra 20 to 20 years.

Harrison said that economic development proponents support the alternative bridge project. The angled bridge would be an easier turn for large trucks than Depot Street Bridge and create a route to and from the island well away from downtown. While the bridge entrance from the Bellows Falls side could only be accessible to southbound traffic, this would allow the town to convert part of Canal Street into a pedestrian walk or bicycle lane, or possible set up some tables or seating.

Selector Stefan Golec also said that creating a pedestrian bridge from Depot Street and building the alternative bridge would give residents on the island needed routes.

“Vilas Bridge may never open again,” Golec said. “If industrial projects even open again on the island, you’re going to need access.”

Selector Sue Hammond agreed.

“We’re thinking about 30, 40 or 60 years down the line,” Hammond said.

Peter Golec questioned the potential for economic growth on the island, saying it is already limited in space. Golec also worried that the downtown could lose up to 42 parking spaces by building the alternative bridge, while questioning the economic benefit for either the downtown or the island.

Per the request of the board, Harrison said she could arrange for representatives from V-Trans to attend another meeting with the board to answer additional questions.