Andrew Colabella is a Representative Town Meeting member. I-95 and Greens Farms Road run through his District 4. He has followed the Cribari Bridge renovation project closely. Andrew writes:
On December 18, Connecticut’s Department of Transportation held a “Section 106” meeting.
Engineers, and others involved in cultural resources, discussed the timeline of the Cribari Bridge design.
“Section 106” refers to public consultations held with respect to the National Historic Preservation Act. This federal law — which is utilized in the preservation, restoration and design of a new bridge — requires agencies to consider effects on historic properties for federally funded projects. The goal is to balance development, while preserving cultural heritage.
The Cribari Bridge is 144 years old … (Photo/Dan Woog)
The meeting was not entirely and correctly publicly noticed, as Valerie Seiling Jacobs and Werner Liepolt have done a phenomenal job publicizing.
Even people on the email list of those who originally sat on the Cribari PAC Bridge Committee, like myself, did not receive an email.
Many valid concerns were raised by residents from all over town about the height of the bridge off water, and height of the bridge for vehicles. There were concerns regarding traffic, navigability, signage, historic preservation and impact, the New England aesthetic, and accessibility for bicyclists and pedestrians.
… and is adjacent to the Bridge Street Historic District.
Third Selectman Don O’Day and I found a very interesting ban: “No Thru Trucks on Route 136.”
On August 21, 2007, the Connecticut State Traffic Commission ruled in favor of Rowayton, and implemented a “No Thru Truck” designation on Route 136. This finally happened 23 years after a Consent Decree was issued in Federal Court. The 1984 ruling required the state DOT and the city of Norwalk to “alleviate present levels of truck traffic through Rowayton along 136.”
Commissioner Mike Barbis and resident Andy Glazer began to seriously fight, starting in 2005. They were helped by Norwalk general counsel Peter Nolin, Norwalk Mayor Dick Moccia, Darien First Selectwoman Evonne Klein and Darien Police Chief Duane Lovello. The battle with the State Traffic Commission – an arm of the Connecticut Department of Transportation — went on for over 2 years.
The topic was eventually put on the agenda at the STC for a hearing on November 21, 2006. Engineering studies were subsequently conducted by CT DOT. On December 31, 2006, 2 of the 3 STC Commissioners retired.
On June 19, 2007 the STC was to rule on Rowayton’s application for a “No Thru Trucks” designation. Staff recommended against approval. The commission rejected staff’s recommendation, and instead tabled the request.
On August 21, 2007, after Rowayton hired their own counsel, Philip Walker, the State Traffic Commission finally ruled in Rowayton’s favor. They designated the Darien and Norwalk sections of Route 136 as a “No Thru Truck” zone.
Unfortunately, if trucks start or end their journey in Norwalk, the ban does not apply to them. The Norwalk Police Department cannot stop or ticket them, as they are not “thru” trucks under state law.
The key to the issue is Darien. Trucks use Exit 12 to get to and from Norwalk and I-95. To do so, they must go “thru” Darien on Tokeneke Road. The answer is to get Darien to enforce the “No Thru Truck” regulation.
If you know anyone who lives on or near Tokeneke Road, ask them to complain to the town of Darien and their Police Department.
Cribari Bridge connects Route 136 from the west and east banks of the Saugatuck River. To uphold the “no thru truck” traffic ban, an appropriate height would need to be applied.
In this case, the 14.3-foot height being proposed would not be acceptable —especially given that the majority of tractor-trailers have a standard 53-foot box and cab with length totaling roughly 80-85 feet. In addition, there is tight roadway space in Saugatuck, and limited heights of existing bridges such as the Metro North Bridges that are even shorter in height.
Along with height, aesthetics was agreed upon by those who participated in the meeting. Westporters and visitors love the design with the trusses, functioning or not. A redesign or replacement could incorporate permanent lighting on the bridge like many throughout the Northeast, such as the Kosciuszko in New York, and the Pearl Harbor Bridge in New Haven.
The Cribari Bridge connects Saugatuck (top) and Greens Farms.
The committee stated that they are currently 15% underway with design. That means that Westporters have an opportunity to voice your opinion and convey your thoughts, before the February meeting. (A specific date not yet been scheduled.
Click here to see all the documents presented in 2018. These officials oversee the project:
- Mandy.Ranslow@ct.gov
- Ashley.Heredia@ct.gov
- James.barrows@ct.gov
- Kevin.fleming@ct.gov
- Heather.Carpini-Prescott@ct.gov
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