The National Park Service this week recognized MassDOT Highway District 1 in the Berkshires and District Bridge Coordinator Ed Lausier, left, as a "Conservation Hero" for the cooperative and adaptive approach used to design and replace the culvert at Shaker Mill Brook, McNerney Road, in Becket.
The culvert was part of the $850,000 McNerney Road Bridge replacement project funded by the Patrick-Murray Administration's Accelerated Bridge Program (ABP) to repair structurally-deficient bridges. The former bridge over Shaker Mill Brook was closed in 2007 following a bridge inspection.
ABP funding allowed the bridge replacement project to move forward in 2009. The new bridge opened ahead of schedule in November 2009 after just 139 days of construction.
Shaker Mill Brook is designated a Wild and Scenic River and construction required National Park Service approval. MassDOT Highway District 1 reached out to the Park Service in the design phase for early environmental coordination.
As a result, the bridge opening was expanded to provide for bank full flow width. Lausier worked with the Park Service to develop a stream restoration plan that provided partial rock dams and plunge pools to allow for fish passage upstream through the new bridge.
Congratulations to Ed along with MassDOT District 1 employees and project contractor Roach & Sons for the honors.
Good Job Ed!
Posted by: Sonja Gray | November 18, 2011 at 01:30 PM