We’ve run this photo before.
But today — the day after a public meeting with the state Department of Transportation, in the midst of fierce discussions about the future of the Cribari Bridge — is a good time to resurrect it.
The last time the Saugatuck River span was renovated — over 30 years ago — a temporary bridge took it place.
It rose up and down at both ends: Bridge Street and Riverside Avenue.
It was wide. It curved around the original. It cut through the parking lot of what was then Mansion Clam House (now the aptly named Bridge at Saugatuck restaurant).
And it worked.
Traffic was a breeze.
For 3 decades since, Westporters have wondered why it was torn down.
Today is a good time to resurrect not only the photo, but the question.
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Caution is advised Dan-as the pitchforks are still sharp. That said, the temporary span was impressive, evoking the sensation of an amusement park ride. While drivers’ kind ‘a freaked upon approaching it, the crossing is brief, lasting only a matter of seconds.
Dan, Bring back the Mansion Clam House. And if you could, the Clam Box too. Okay… let’s throw in the Arrow too.
Mario’s 🥩🍸
Thst is really the route the new Cribari historic bridge replacement should take. Yes, they would have to buy the Bridge Restaurant property but that is probably the best outcome for the owners of the Bridge restaurant. Again this takes some outside the box thinking and a better ultimate outcome for Westport and Saugatuck. JMHO
I’m not sure, Ray, but one thing is certain: we don’t want to take anyone’s property. Also, that one Imperial Landing home unfortunately will get some head lite action, but that won’t last forever. and I recall in a PAC meeting that owner asked for a dock permit as a thank you.
Ohhhh.. I forgot about Mario’s! Throw in the Stage Door Restaurant that was demolished around 1963-ish. At one time, you could get dinner there for 75 cents. A picture of it is an official Westport picture.
Traffic was a breeze? I don’t get it. There was still the intersection of Bridge and Riverside. The bridge didn’t let traffic move quicker. My late BIL and I owned the Mansion Clam House during that construction period. We lost about one third of our parking lot during that period.
I hear you, Dave. We lost all the sailboats for winter storage as soon as the temp span went up—what was it, four years in place? That was about 25% of our winter income, and they never really returned. Then, when the temporary span was finally removed, we lost 40% of slip rentals because people couldn’t reach the yard as easily as other marinas.
Back in ’87, my family bought the property based on CTDOT’s plans to renovate the Bridge Street Bridge, with designs showing it would have more clearance. I’m still holding on, but even during covid summer I had 12 or so empty slips…. VFW as well. It’s a tradition now- Haha, I just turned a guy away this month.