MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey today announced the award of $1.2 million for the replacement of South Road Bridge in Westhampton.
“MassDOT, on behalf of the Patrick-Murray Administration, is proud to partner with the community of Westhampton on this important project. These kinds of smaller-scale investments are often overlooked but are incredibly important to communities,” said Secretary Davey.
The project will replace the existing 12 foot long, 20 foot wide bridge with a three-sided precast concrete rigid frame structure 28 feet in width. The new bridge will better accommodate pedestrians, including its use by athletes training from the nearby regional high school.
The town will be reimbursed through MassDOT's Small Bottlebeck Grant Program when the bridge replacement is complete. The Small Bottleneck Program provides communities with funding and technical assistance to complete roadway improvement projects of approximately $1 million that do not score high enough to qualify for federal funding but would result in significant improvements for the local economy, quality of life, safety and/or commute times.
This program supports MassDOT’s commitment to both small and large investments in transportation that help leverage economic development and jobs. The project was previously anticipated to be Federal Aid funded through the Transportation Improvement Program but has never been programmed for construction.
The bridge will be closed for construction and a detour will be implemented via Route 66, Southampton Road and Stage Road.
No mention of whether the new bridge will span a stream, and if so whether it will span 1.2 times bankfull width.
Posted by: Jane Winn, Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) | August 16, 2012 at 06:28 AM