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.
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