In walkable cities around the world, bridges connect one side of a waterway to another.
Venice’s Rialto, Florence’s Ponte Vecchio, Pari’s Pont Neuf, and just about any bridge in Amsterdam, are wonderful connections for strolling, shopping and dining.
In Westport, the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge might as well be the George Washington or Triborough, in terms of pedestrians’ willingness to cross it.
It does not unite the two sides of the Saugatuck River. Instead — in our minds, at least — it separates them.
The Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge spans — but does not really connect — two sides of the river. (Photo/Harrison Gordon)
Try this test: When you hear “downtown,” what comes to mind? Main Street, Church Lane, Parker Harding Plaza, the Library — right?
You probably don’t think of the west bank, just a few yards away.
However, a few recent developments might bring a new focus to the other side of the river.
Stephen Kempson is expanding. The British custom tailor is adding 700 square feet, in space previously occupied by Age of Reason.
Several years ago, Kempson inquired about the property. Then COVID hit. As parents searched for educational toys for their homebound children, business boomed.
But in April, after 40 years, owner Nina Berger closed her store.
Kempson is now adding a custom women’s collection, with exciting colors and textures. Renovations should be completed by mid-September.
Post Road West, reflected in the Stephen Kempson window. (Photo/Dan Woog)
A replacement for Winfield Street Delicatessen, next door to Stephen Kempson, will open before that.
The owners of Arezzo — the Italian restaurant around the corner — were eager to take that space. They’re adding salads, sandwiches, paninis and more to the breakfast and lunch menu.
That’s not all. Bella Bridesmaids took over the place next door to it. The Lifeworx eldercare agency expanded too.
Westport River Gallery and Laura Bazante Stylist continue to thrive. So does Noya Jewelry, across Riverside Avenue.
Across the street, work continues on National Hall. The former site of several restaurants — before that, a boutique hotel, furniture store, and (much earlier), a bank, newspaper office and the town’s meeting hall — will soon become corporate offices for AIG.
That won’t bring anyone through its doors. But it will provide a steady base of customers for businesses nearby.
National Hall (Photo/Dave Dellinger)
The changes on the west bank of the Saugatuck River are exciting. They’ll be followed (at some point) by new parking options at the Parker Harding and Jesup Green lots.
Will all that be enough to entice folks to walk a few yards over the Saugatuck River bridge — about the same distance as from Anthropologie on Main Street, to Cold Fusion?
I don’t know.
And I know the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge will never be as beautiful as the Rialto, Ponte Vecchio or Pont Neuf,
But it’s a lot nicer than the George Washington or Triborough.
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Will humans follow dogs across the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge? (Photo/Maxx Crowley)
It would be a great improvement and connection if a pedestrian bridge was built further down the river connecting Parker Harding Plaza and the West side of downtown.
I wonder if anyone is aware that for weeks now all traffic ( including tractor trailers) have been diverted off 95 thru Westport via Post Road over the Cohen bridge during the night. Knowing all bridges are built with expected limits of weight and stress I wonder if our bridge can sustain this. Is a disaster waiting due to this usage?
Having observed this on many nights I can also say these trucks many times far exceed the posted speed limit on Post Rd. Our very excellent PD should check this out!
Nice article. The RSGB bridge is beloved as the “Bridge of Flags”. A few more casual eateries on the water would be a huge draw.
Our finest in blue are already quite busy during the AM ticketing those who, due to backups on the right lane, are stuck on the RSC Bridge’s westbound left, left-turn-only, lane but who wish to go straight, and do so accelerating straight up Post Rd W.,
where, in an impressive choreography of WPD resources, they’re immediately pulled over and sent to a queue of the entitled, to wait their turn to be ticketed. Rinse,lather, you get it.
Sometimes, we have to suck it in and realize the only thing to do is to wait for the arrow, take that left onto RIverside, then right onto either Cross or Lincoln or Burr to rejoin Post Rd W. Or of course chill out a few minutes to enjoy RIverside Park & our waterfront.
The Downtown Master Plan included a clear commitment to seek a bridge for pedestrians across the Saugatuck River north of the existing highway bridge. The effort has lost momentum because, in my view, the cost and the absence of leadership. Many of the people who do not support a pedestrian bridge, probably a floating bridge, appear to be limited in their ability to express and accomplish visionary changes. That is a common problem, along with money.
Don Bergmann
About 45 years ago, I rented offices next to the Fairfield Furniture Store, in the little grey buildings. We often times used to stand on the outside deck and talk about what to do with the not so beautiful bridge. One day I said “why don’t we widen the bridge and add charming little stores and restaurants all along the bridge on both sides then start an Italian type gondola service complete with the painted poles from across the river to the stores and restaurants.” How romantic would that be?
The George Washington and Triborough Bridges both have sidewalks (OK, the Triborough is really 3 bridges). Walking across the George Washington Bridge is an experience everyone should have. And I feel it is one of the most beautiful
bridges in the world.
Practical issues – all solvable
1. Need more and more appealing businesses in order for people to want to cross over.
2. Bridge cross is fine. Could be more aesthetically pleasing
3. Traffic at “that intersection” is horrific and very very unfriendly to walkers
I love the idea of expanding the bridge width wise to accommodate small shops and eateries.. that would be amazing( once they weren’t given to the administrations buddies,and groupies, or landlords. as we watch constantly happening- think long shore, and joeys.)
It would be a fantastic thing for Westport to connect both ends of the bridge if it could be done in a fair and honest manner. Leaving out of the equation the Weston Westport chamber of commerce and the downtown association who likely are salivating at the thought.
Sadly I don’t think they are capable. It would never be either honest or fair.
The skullduggery always steps in to ruin these potential ideas.
Alas….
Westporters may forget that it’s not Westport’s bridge, but a state-owned bridge. That’s relevant for chasing some of the dreams mentioned here. And subject to state laws, such as no shops and restaurants, no private or commercial signs posted, etc.
Tossing in a Small 1st Step as an historian & former tour guide for Concord, Mass. How about a Walk Historical Westport? Several variations come to mind, but one would be Start is ze Right bank, then a walk across the bridge to ze Left Bank. If guided, one finishes on the Left dining at, say, Arezzo, because I would be tired! If do-it-yourself, walking maps with discount coupons.
This must have been tried before. Just spitballing.
Sad to know AGE is gone — thought of it as an anchor store (wasn’t that space Goodwill before that?).
Best to Stephen (wow, your target clientele is moving in across the street from you!) & Arezzo (AIG will stand for “Arezzo Is
Gastrono-magnifico”).
Yes the downtown Westport is wonderful and across that bridge on the West the town of Westport has forgotten about the west side of the bridge in the Downtown plan it talks about Wehn Lou was in charge and Melissa Kane and Dewey we have wonderful places on that side of there bridge I do wish the town if Westport would work with the state it is a state bridge and we need to have Westport side of bridge be I am calling on dma and the chamber rtm reps in district 9 I love the west side of the bridge I walk there all the time. ? Let’s all come to together make it happen I am calling on the dpic to focus on that side of the bridge ? From sal liccione rtm district 9 member and downtown resident