One often-overlooked element of the discussion on the future of the Cribari Bridge is climate change.
As the Saugatuck River rises by a few inches over the next decades, clearance under the 143-year-ol span will diminish.
The state Department of Transportation is considering that, in its plans for rehabilitation or replacement.
But the rise will not be confined to the Cribari Bridge alone.
Consider the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge downtown.
Very little river traffic now passes underneath the Post Road — a few kayaks and canoes, mostly at low tide.
But CTDOT is looking ahead.
A project (formally #0158-0980) would replace the current structure with a drawbridge:
Artist’s rendering of proposed Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge drawbridge.
Steve Lance — the “06880” reader who spotted the plan, while searching for information on the Cribari Bridge — reached out to CTDOT.
James Barrows, who serves as manager for the Cribari project, responded.
“Work would not begin until #0158-0214 (the Cribari Bridge) is completed,” he said. “CTDOT would not want to disrupt traffic on two major crossings simultaneously.
“However, we see it as an important next component in making the Saugatuck River navigable as far upriver as possible.”
Barrows said that while the drawbridge would initially be open only far occasional traffic, it could adopt a regular schedule to allow more watercraft to pass through than currently do.
He noted that the entire operation would take “only 6 to 8 minutes.” Traffic disruption would be “minimal,” he said.
Barrows — who was at DOT’s recent public meeting at Town Hall — said, “our intention is to involve residents, business owners and other stakeholders as early and often as possible” in the project planning.
Click here to see the full report. A link is included in the report for preliminary comments.
(“06880” will follow this story — as we do all that impact Westport. Please click here, to help us continue our work. Thank you!)
“This must be a joke” was the first thing going through my head. Oh, yeah, It’s April 1st. Thanks, Dan.
Last night, I was out on a date with Taylor Swift. She leaned over and whispered in my ear, “Never trust a Woog on April 1.” I asked her why she would say that? She said , Mile Borchetta told her that once.
Mike, not Mile…..
Okay….there is a connection between me and Taylor Swift. Mike Borchetta, from Westport, discovered Taylor at age 16. It so happens; I knew Mike in 1959. Now Dan Woog may not have known Mike personally, but he does know about his parents’ deli nearby where Old Road intersects with the Post Rd,
Mike recently passed, not sure you saw that. It’s his son Scott who discovered TS when she was 14. Scott also sold her recording catalogue to Scooter Braun without giving her the option to buy it first, so he’s enemy #1 in the eyes of most Swifties.
There are folks in town that will actually fall for this.
I do, every year
I love it. They could even raise the thing that would allow for bungee-jumping, or at least a water slide for the kids.
(to allow for). Typos ‘R’ Me.
What a waste of taxpayer money! I think we’d be better off if they turned the library into a yoga studio, or lowered the hill that Town Hall sits on, or even installed a coral reef at Compo. Jeez.
And a happy April Fool’s Day to you, too!
PT Barnum set up shop right up the road.
good one Dan?
please say it was a joke?!?!