06880

There are many moving parts — figuratively and literally — to the Cribari Bridge.

It’s Melissa Levy’s job to know them all.

She’s not a state official, or an engineer. But as chair of the Representative Town Meeting’s Cribari Bridge Subcommittee, she’s one of Westport’s most important officials in the complex discussions over the future of the 142-year-old span.

Levy and her colleagues have worked hard recently, preparing for 2 key meetings.

Tonight (Monday, 6 p.m., Zoom), her subcommittee, and the full RTM Transit Committee — of which she is also a member — meet. They’ll prepare for Thursday’s public session (November 12, 7 p.m., Town Hall auditorium), where the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is expected to present its recommended next steps.

Levy encourages Westporters to attend both meetings.

Cribari Bridge (Photo/John Videler for Videler Photography)

A 2nd-term RTM member and 14-year resident, she notes that transportation decisions involve far more than “how to get between two points.” There are safety, neighborhood, business and quality of life considerations.

Those are especially critical regarding the Cribari Bridge. Beyond what to do with the aging swing span itself — perhaps the oldest of its type in the country — any decision will reverberate throughout Saugatuck, Bridge Street and environs, and out to the Post Road.

“It will affect generations to come,” Levy says.

Her subcommittee recognizes that “while residents have different opinions about whether to renovate the bridge or reconstruct it, everyone wants a safe, reliable bridge that will protect Westport’s character, and protect the town against truck traffic.”

She acknowledges that CTDOT is “probably moving” toward an on-alignment recommendation. That would entail demolition of the existing structure, and construction of a completely new movable bridge that would maintain the existing roadway alignment across the Saugatuck River.

The “on-alignment” plan would involve a new Cribari Bridge, with the same approach as now. (Courtesy of Yulee Aronson)

The subcommittee is studying that plan, while also pursuing how to preserve the span, in light of engineering and federal requirements.

Studying both options “is not mutually exclusive,” Levy says. “We are working to protect the town, regardless of what decisions are made.”

The subcommittee chair speaks frequently with James Barrows, CTDOT’s manager for the Cribari project.

“He is forthright and communicative,” she says. “He gives me even more information than I ask for. I’m very confident in our relationship, and their desire to work with us.”

She notes that Thursday’s CTDOT meeting with residents “is not mandatory. They scheduled it because they think it’s important.”

State Department of Transportation involvement is key. They’re funding the $6o to $100 million project.

They’ll receive approximately 80% of the cost from the federal government.

Understanding national and state standards and regulations — and applying them to what Westport wants and needs — is no easy task.

Residents have certainly made their wishes known. CTDOT received 833 comments following a public session last March.

On Thursday, Levy says, “we hope to hear how those comments were evaluated, and how they’ve influenced the project.”

She looks forward to learning “what decisions have been made, what decisions are still open, and how the town can influence next steps. We have to understand how to to move from wanting something, to implementing it.”

The RTM “does not control this project,” Levy says. “But we do have a responsibility to ask questions, and work with the first selectman’s office, our legislators and CTDOT to see what our options are.”

Her subcommittee is researching ways to encourage town officials to proceed.

Cribari Bridge (Photo/Nancy Lally)

Whatever decision is announced on Thursday, “it takes many months for the federal government to approve what CTDOT proposes,” Levy says.

One of the most important issues surrounding the Cribari Bridge is a “No Through Trucks” designation.

There are 3 interrelated questions. says Levy:

• Can large trucks be restricted, because of the bridge’s height and weight limitations?
• Can large trucks be prohibited legally from the bridge, even if a larger bridge could accommodate them?
• Can Westport enact “no through trucks” legislation on surrounding rounds?

There may be different approval processes for each of those 3 options, Levy notes.

The Board of Selectpersons serve as Westport’s local traffic authority. The Cribari Bridge is part of a state highway (Route 136), so a “no through trucks” designation would be reviewed by the DOT’s Office of State Traffic Administration (OSTA).

They would consider road conditions, traffic patterns, alternate routes, and what happens elsewhere if trucks are prohibited there.

Levy notes, “no through trucks” does not mean “no trucks at all.” Trucks making deliveries in Westport would still be permitted.

And, she adds, “no through trucks” can be challenging to enforce.

In 2019, the Board of Selectpersons considered a “no through trucks” designation for Bridge Street, Greens Farms Road and Compo Road South. The idea was tabled. They were concerned about unintended consequences, such as traffic being redirected to Riverside Avenue and the Post Road.

In 2024 they authorized a similar request for Lyons Plains Road.

Her subcommittee is “trying to understand what is legally possible, what the requirements are for which roads, and if ‘no through trucks’ is enforceable,” Levy says.”

“Maybe OSTA can evaluate the area, and advise us about other roads to include. All that is down the line.”

What happens if CTDOT announces a full replacement plan, even if Westport does not want it?

“That doesn’t mean all decisions have been made,” Levy says. “”We could still influence the design, safety and neighborhood effects.”

She hopes residents will attend tonight’s and Thursday’s meetings.

“A lot of work has been done to identify concerns. Now it’s time to build on that work, clarify our shared concerns, and turn it all into action.

“While we may not be able to control every aspect of the final outcome, we have a responsibility to take every opportunity to understand it, and protect Westport.”

(“06880” has reported on the Cribari Bridge controversy since we started, in 2009. We’ll continue to do so — with readers’ support, of course. To make a donation, please click here. Thank you!)

Melissa Levy, RTM Cribari Bridge Sub-committee chair.