By a wide margin, respondents to yesterday’s “06880” Cribari Bridge survey favor “adaptive rehabilitation” of the 143-year-old span. That means improving roadway safety and adding bike lanes, while preserving the 12′ 10″ height to continue blocking heavy truck traffic.
As of 6:45 this morning, 464 readers, or 75% — out of a total of 617 who answered the question — chose that option.
Another 98 (16%) selected “full replacement” (meeting all modern height, weight and flood-resilience standards).
The third option — “no change; leave it as it is” — was chosen by 55 (9%).
Cribari Bridge (Photo/Ferdinand Jahnel)
The survey was unscientific (and a few of the 627 participants did not answer every question). But it offers some insight, as Westport grapples with next steps in a decades-long debate over next step for one of the town’s 3 Saugatuck River crossings.
Readers were given 4 elements to rate as “very important to me,” “somewhat important to me” or “not important to me,” when considering the Cribari Bridge.
The most important, according to respondents, was “the potential for use by large trucks.” That was “very important” to 426 (70%), “somewhat important” to 100 (16%), and “not important” to 85 (14%).
“Safety issues — for example, increasing the width” — was “very important” to 356 (58%) and “somewhat important” to 175 (29%). It was “not important” to 80 (13%).
When considering its future, the Cribari Bridge’s history was deemed “very important” by 277 readers (45%), and “somewhat important” by 257 (42%). Another 79 (13%) called it “not important.”
The fourth consideration was “navigability of the Saugatuck River, including the ability of all marine craft to pass underneath.” 173 readers (28%) called it “very important; 276 (45%) said it was “somewhat important,” and 164 (27%) said it was “not important.”
The Cribari Bridge is the oldest swing span of its type in the nation. It is opened manually, to allow marine craft to pass underneath. (Photo/Mark Mathias)
“06880” readers’ preference for “adaptive rehabilitation” aligns with a sense of the meeting vote taken Tuesday night, by the Representative Town Meeting.
Twenty of 21 RTM members present and voting — 95% — said yes to a bridge that would be wide enough for pedestrian and bike lanes, yet low enough to prohibit 18 wheelers.
The lone “no” vote was cast to reflect a desire for restoration, not replacement in any form. Four members abstained.
The full “sense of the meeting” resolution is at the end of this story.*
The Cribari Bridge. (Photo/Patricia McMahon)
The survey asked 3 other questions.
On the issue of whether the town of Westport should buy the Cribari Bridge — which would mean being responsible for renovation and maintenance, without federal and state funding — the majority (369, or 61%) said no. 236 readers (39%) agreed with the idea.
Even more respondents opposed the idea of moving the bridge elsewhere in town, to serve as a footbridge and preserve its history. That idea was opposed by 392 (65%), supported by 210 (35%).
The final question asked: “If the town negotiates with the state Department of Transportation on the future of the Cribari Bridge, which of the following should NOT be up for discussion?”
The most important non-negotiable item — “allowing large truck traffic” — was chosen by 484 (43%).
“Losing the historic look” was deemed non-negotiable by 266 (24%), followed by “keeping height” (172, 15%), “creating a new alignment” (121, 11%) and adding width (7%).
* The RTM “sense of the meeting” resolution” said:
RESOLVED: It is the sense of the Westport Representative Town Meeting that the Town administration should engage with the Connecticut Department of Transportation to ensure that the Cribari Bridge across the Saugatuck river is restored, rehabilitated or replaced as soon as practicable.
Any upgrade should at a minimum maintain or evoke the historic design of the current structure. The finished structure should be wide enough to include pedestrian and bike lanes and a height restriction to ensure that it will not provide access for semi tractor trucks.
(“06880” reports regularly on the Cribari Bridge debate — and everything else in Westport too. If you appreciate our coverage, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
In the wake of the announcement that the Connecticut Department of Transportation plans to build a new maintenance building at the state facility on Post Road East between Walgreens and West Parish Road, renewed attention has come to approximately 1.4 acres of the property, near West Parish.
Yet 1st Selectwoman Jen Tooker tells “06880,” “The DOT never offered the town of Westport a portion of that property.
“There were discussions regarding building affordable housing on a portion of the property, in 2020 and 2021. However, the land would have been transferred from DOT to the Department of Housing for that purpose, not the town.
“Neither the state DOT nor DOH has advanced that project.”
State Department of Transportation land. The Sherwood Island Connector is at left, Post Road East at top, West Parish Road on right. The proposed new maintenance facility is outlined in black (behind Walgreens). The land once considered for affordable housing is in red, at right.
Just days before the Division I basketball tournament (aka March Madness) begins, NCAA president Charlie Baker sat down with Dave Briggs for a long, and very interesting, interview.
Briggs — a Westporter, former NBC Sports and Turner sports broadcaster, and host of a high-energy March Madness show — asked important questions.
What’s the future of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and the transfer portal? Does the NCAA support the Trump decision to ban transgender athletes? How will private equity impact college sports?
It’s a national podcast, but there are 2 Westport connections (besides this being Briggs’ hometown):
Briggs referenced Marc Lasry. The Beachside Avenue resident and private equity billionaire has indicated an interest in getting into the college sports space.
NCAA president Baker is married to Lauren Schadt, a Staples High School graduate who grew up in Westport.
The Clubhouse opened last month, to rave reviews. Now 2 big perfect-for-the-space events are coming up.
From March 14 to 17, the Post Road East hot spot offers Irish-inspired dishes and drinks, and their first-ever brunch specials. They’re open normal hours Friday to Sunday, then noon to 10 p.m. on Monday the 17th.
Starting March 20, March Madness basketball will be live on the massive 22-foot TV wall.
Coming soon: the opening of the roof deck.
The Clubhouse — with the 22-foot TV wall on the right.
Speaking of St. Paddy’s Day: Club203 celebrates the green the next day.
Westport’s social group for adults with disabilities gathers at the Westport Library on March 18 (6:30 to 8 p.m.) for karaoke, Irish soda bread and sweet buns from Cobs Bread, green bagels from Village Bagels, shamrock cookies from Baked by Belle, crafts with MoCA, and free books from the Westport Book Shop.
Everyone is invited to wear green. Click here for more information.
Suspense and legal thriller author David Baldacci has sold over 150 million books worldwide. He’s been published in 45 languages.
His new book, “Strangers in Time,” will be released April 15. It’s about a bereaved bookshop owner and 2 teenagers scarred by the World War II in 1944 London, and the healing and hope they find in each other.
At 7 p.m. that day, he launches it with a keynote address and book signing — at the Westport Library.
The Library is including a copy of the book with each ticket ($40). Attendees can get 2 seats and 1 book for $50. Extra copies are $30 each. There is a special opportunity to meet Baldacci one-on-one ($150). Click here to register.
In its heyday in the 1950s and ’60s, the correspondence course company on Wilton Road promised millions of would-be artists that they could draw like a professional.
The school lives on — at least through June 15, at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
An exhibit from the Famous Artists Cartoon Course — launched in 1956 — offers a look at famous cartooning “teachers” like Rube Goldberg, Al Capp and Milton Caniff. Click here for more information. (Hat tip: Carol Waxman)
A Famous Artists School cartoon course cartoon.
=============================================
The artist known as Inam unveils his latest collection, “Life in Color,” at Clarendon Fine Art on April 24 (6 p.m.). The reception includes drinks and live music. These works include his signature forest scenes, and striking new seascapes.
Clarendon will cover the sales tax on all purchases made at the event (terms and conditions apply).
“Sailing in the Sun” (Inam)
=================================================
Westport Police made 4 custodial arrests between March 5 and 11.
A 49-year-old Westport woman was charged with evading responsibility (hit and run), driving under the influence and failure to drive in the proper lane, following an accident on Imperial Avenue. Officers located the vehicle parked at the driver’s residence, while she was still sitting in it.
A 39-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with possession of a controlled substance, after respondingi to a vehicle facing the wrong direction on Red Coat Road. The driver was slumped over in the driver’s seat, with a baggie and straw in his lap. A field test of that, and additional baggies in the vehicle, were positive for cocaine and fentanyl.
A 54-year-old Bridgeport man was charged with burglary, criminal mischief and larceny following an investigation into the theft of $800 from Little Kitchen, after a rear door was forced oopen. He was unable to post $25,000 bond.
A 33-year-old Philadelphia woman was charged with larceny, payment card theft, identity theft, and conspirace to commit those crimes, after investigation into the the theft of a handbag at Panera in 2020.
Westport Police also issued these citations:
Failure to renew registration (6 citations)
Speeding: 5
Traveling unreasonably fast: 5
Failure to obey traffic control signals: 3
Simple trespass: 2
Failure to drive in the proper lane: 2
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle: 2
Passing a stopped school bus: 1
Distracted driving: 1
Traveling too fast for conditions: 1
Improper turns: 1
Failure to obey stop sign: 1
Failure to obey state traffic commission regulations: 1
Longtime Westporter Paulette Weibel died peacefully on March 4. She was 98.
The Geneva, Switzerland native immigrated to the US in 1950, to marry her husband Otto Weibel. They were married for 65 years, until his death in 2015.
Paulette lived in Westport for the past 60 years. She was a proud member of the NY/CT Swiss-American; loved nature, walking, knitting, sewing and volunteering, with Girl Scouts and the Westport Library.
She also worked full time at the library. She helped maintain picture files for over 36 years. Her beautiful handwriting can be seen today on many files.
She is survived by her son, Robert (Silvia) of Switzerland and daughter Joyce Bottone (Joseph) of Westport; grandchildren Jessica, Jonathan (Naima), Leonard (Vanessa), Nolan, Stella, Joseph and Jennifer, and great-grandchildren Shayna, Kiana and Ayana. She was also predeceased by her son Peter and brother Jean Lambert.
The family will receive friends and family at the Harding Funeral Home on March 17 (4 to 7 p.m.). A graveside service is set March 18, 2025 (11 a.m., Willowbrook Cemetery). Click here to leave online condolences.
And finally … Joey Molland, the last surviving member of Badfinger, died on March 1 in Minnesota. He was 77, and suffered from diabetes. Click here for a full obituary.
(If you want it, please click here to help support “06880” — “where Westport meets the world.” Thank you!)
If there is one thing Westporters agree on, it’s that our traffic light system is broken.
This light stays red too long. This one is not green long enough. Why isn’t there a left-turn arrow here? Why can’t I go right on red there?
And, always: Why doesn’t the town do something about it?
The answer is frustratingly simple: It can’t. They’re not our lights.
According to Representative Town Meeting member Andrew Colabella, there are 123 miles of town roads. 66 miles are private, and only 18.5 miles belong to the state.
But nearly every traffic light in Westport hangs over a state road.
Post Road East and West. Saugatuck and Riverside Avenues. Wilton Road. Easton Road. You name it: If there’s a light on it, odds are astronomical it belongs to the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
Call Town Hall about a traffic problem? They’re not our lights!
In fact, Andrew says, the only traffic lights the town controls are on Main Street at Avery Place and Myrtle Avenue, the Saugatuck fire station, and — because it’s a special, controllable light — the one at Fire Department headquarters.
So, if you have concerns — immediate (a light is out) or long-range (change the timing), the state DOT is the agency to call.*
But it’s a bureaucracy, so (of course) there are 2 separate jurisdictions.
The state DOT garage (next to Walgreens, across from Patio.com) handles all work orders from their driveway westward (to the Norwalk line). Their number is 203-227-7692.
Everything east of the state DOT garage is done by the Trumbull garage: 203-380-3836).
Traffic light concerns or electrical issues? Call 203-878-1869.
*Looking for ideas? Here’s one. Make each cycle at the Post Road West/ Riverside Avenue/Wilton Road cluster**** green for one side only, and red for the other three.
In other words, if you’re on Wilton Road, with Bartaco on your left, you get a green light to go any direction — left or right on the Post Road, straight ahead onto Riverside — while traffic is stopped in the other direction.
Then the cars coming down the Post Road West hill get their own green — to turn left or right, or go straight over the bridge — while everyone else stops.
Etc., etc.
It’s the only way to prevent back-ups, while cars wait for those in front to turn — but they can’t, because vehicles coming from the opposite direction are trying to do the same.
Hey, it’s worth a try. The current system is broken.
Right now, an entire cycle can pass with cars waiting for one to turn in any direction from Wilton Road, Post Road West or Riverside Avenue.
(“06880” needs your support to stay out of the red. Please click here to make a tax-deductible contribution to your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)
It’s official: Westport schools will open next month with a hybrid model.
Still to be determined: the elementary school schedule. Those students will still alternate between morning and afternoon sessions, but the original plan — to switch which youngsters are in which session every week — may not be utilized. The Board of Education put off a vote on the elementary schedule, pending a parent survey.
In related news: Coleytown Middle School will not be available to begin reopening until November 18. The first day for students will likely be after Thanksgiving.
Our rough roads are getting a bit better.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation has begun a milling and resurfacing project on 1.27 miles of the Post Road, from the Sherwood Island Connector to Maple Avenue.
Certain lanes will be closed from 7:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. Work is expected to be done by August 31.
In the first 3 weeks of the project — part of the town’s Zero Food Waste Challenge goal of decreasing residential food waste by at least 25% — Westporters dropped off 2 tons of food at the transfer station.
The site was temporarily closed to enable Department of Public Works staff to assist with cleanup after Tropical Storm Isaias.
Food scrap recycling will resume at the transfer station on the Sherwood Island Connector this Saturday (August 22).
To get a food scrap recycling starter kit, email zerowaste@sustainablewestport.org.
The Paparo family was the first to drop off food scraps for Sustainable Westport’s recycling project.
In other environmental news, Wakeman Town Farm is giving away its precious Brown Gold. The all-natural compost/fertilizer is rich in nutrients from WTF’s organic gardens, select organic veggie scraps, and animal manure.
In other words, it’s really good s—.
It’s also free. Just BYOB (bag or bucket), and haul away a load for your fall garden. It’s outside the red barn at 134 Cross Highway.
Wakeman Town Farm’s Brown Gold. BYOB (bag or bucket).
MoCA Westport is selling messenger bags, as a fundraiser.
But these are not glorified grocery bags, with “MoCA” stamped somewhere.
Made of high-quality material and featuring digitally printed artwork, they feature 10 local artists: Trace Burroughs, Yvonne Claveloux, Bethany Czarnecki, Susan Fehlinger, Jana Ireijo, Amy Kaplan, Susan Leggitt, Fruma Markowitz, Dale Najarian and Jay Petrow.
The bags are $200 each. But the opportunity to carry a handsome bag with great art, everywhere you go — while supporting an important Westport institution — is priceless. Click here to see all 10 bags, and purchase (at least) one.
The bag designed by Yvonne Claveloux.
And finally … on August 18, 1920 — exactly 100 years ago today — Tennessee ratified the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution. It was the 36th (and final) state needed, to ensure that women had the right to vote. Less than 3 months later, 26 million women were eligible to vote for the first time in a presidential election.
Look around.* It’s easy to see drivers everywhere in Westport using their cell phones. Texting. Probably looking for Pokemon too.
It’s easy to think there’s no enforcement whatsoever of Connecticut’s no-cell-phone law.
That’s not true. I get the police reports. I know that every week, our cops hand out a dozen or so tickets for illegal cell phone use.
Now through August 16, they’re handing out a lot more.
Texting is so much more interesting than paying attention to the road.
The Westport Police is joining the state Department of Transportation’s “U Drive. U Text. U Pay” initiative.
For the 2nd year in a row, law enforcement agencies are adding special patrols to catch distracted drivers — especially those on their phones.
The last operation resulted in over 12,000 tickets throughout Connecticut.
At $150 for a 1st offense, $300 for a second and $500 for each violation after that, that’s a lot of money.
And — hopefully — a lot of lives saved.
(For more information on distracted driving, click here.)
*But pay attention to the road!
Click here for “06880+”: The easy way to publicize upcoming events, sell items, find or advertise your service, ask questions, etc. It’s the “06880” community bulletin board!
The target date of August 17 for restoration of the Merritt Parkway North Avenue bridge is near. It won’t be met.
So you’d think — particularly with penalties written into the contract — that crews would be working feverishly on the project.
Perhaps day and night.
In fact — according to James Lomuscio, writing last Friday for WestportNow — state Department of Transportation project engineer Shalal Hussein had said the week before that his crews were indeed “working around the clock.”
The weather this evening was beautiful. There was no heat, little humidity, and not a hint of rain.
There was also not a hint of any work being done on the bridge.
The alert — and concerned — “06880” reader who sent the photo above says, “This was taken at 7:30 p.m. tonight, on a clear evening. NO ONE is at the North Avenue Merritt bridge work site.”
She adds that according to a neighbor on Northside Lane, the crew shows up at 7 a.m. and leaves by 3 or 4 p.m.
“The lack of activity tonight was no aberration,” the neighbor says. “It is the norm.”
Everyone in Westport calls it (redundantly) the “Bridge Street bridge.” No one uses the official “William F. Cribari Memorial Bridge” name. (He was a popular cop who, for years, theatrically directed rush-hour traffic at the Riverside Avenue intersection.)
In a while, though, everyone in town will be talking about it.
Preliminary discussions between local and state officials have begun regarding repairs — or perhaps replacement — of the 131-year-old, 287-foot structure.
It’s the oldest surviving movable bridge in Connecticut. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It carries 16,000 vehicles a day.
Maritime commerce in long-ago Saugatuck — and upriver, downtown Westport — depended on the bridge’s ability to open. It was a tedious, hand-cranking process.
It also put a lot of stress on the bridge — stress that’s been aggravated by tremendous vehicular traffic, and occasional collisions with vessels. Now its girders are rusting — and possibly cracking.
An idyllic shot of the Bridge Street bridge. Usually, it’s filled with traffic.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation has identified serious deficiencies with the Bridge Street bridge. They’ve got their eyes on it. (And many others — our infrastructure is not exactly healthy.)
Renovation or replacement would entail considerable disruption to a structure vital to our town. (Repairs a while back resulted in a temporary span being constructed adjacent to the permanent one. That’s when a much-needed northbound turning lane was added, coming off the bridge by the old Mansion Clam House.)
There’s no question something must be done. When it is, will other issues be addressed — like the congestion that currently clogs Saugatuck for hours each day?
Will there be discussion of (let’s say) using some of the land at (let’s say) Rizzuto’s parking lot for a roundabout, moving traffic continuously through without a light? It’s been done elsewhere.
“Improvements” are in the eye of the beholder. Would you like to see the old truss bridge remain? Would you prefer a completely new structure?
If you have ideas on how to improve the Bridge Street bridge — and the traffic mess on and around it — click “Comments.” Please use your real name. Feel free to add thoughts on when and how you use the bridge, and what you think of it.
The Bridge Street bridge and environs, as seen on Google Earth view.
Posted onFebruary 18, 2014|Comments Off on Weather Won’t Stall Tonight’s “Commuter Speakout”
The 1st-ever “Commuter Speakout” is still on for 7:30 tonight, at the Pequot Library in Southport.
Connecticut Department of Transportation commissioner Jim Redeker will be joined by Metro-North officials from Operations and Customer Service. They’ll discuss why rail service has deteriorated, offer proposed fixes, and answer questions from commuters.
Sounds great — and very important.
But — sorry, I can’t help myself — let’s hope the “Metro-North officials” drive there.
With today’s weather, if they take the train they may never arrive.
Comments Off on Weather Won’t Stall Tonight’s “Commuter Speakout”
Beginning tomorrow (Monday, May 20), 2013 Metro-North will run limited service from the Westport train station to points west. There is NO train service from Green’s Farms. Commuters should check http://new.mta.info/mnr/ frequently for updates.
Connecticut DOT will operate shuttle buses from Bridgeport, with stops at Fairfield Metro and Fairfield train stations, and Westport as the terminus. This will have a significant impact on the Saugatuck station, as we expect most riders on these shuttles will board trains at Saugatuck. At this time Metro-North estimates they will run at about 75% capacity from Westport.
Heavy delays and high traffic volume are expected on local roads – especially if commuters from towns east of Westport drive here to board trains. If at all possible, car pool to the train station. It is expected that parking will fill fast and early. Additional police personnel will be on duty.
There will be limited shuttle bus service from Green’s Farms station to Saugatuck station for commuters who find themselves there in the morning and returning in the evening during peak hours only. Buses with limited seating will run a continuous loop to and from Saugatuck. This is separate from the CT DOT shuttle system. Please check http://www.norwalktransit.com/ for more information.
Finally, please note these important traffic pattern changes:
All Saugatuck station passenger vehicle drop-offs in the AM and pickups in the PM will be directed to Ferry Lane on the eastbound side of the station. Passengers can then use the tunnels to reach the NY-bound platforms.
Railroad Place will be used by incoming shuttle buses and local business traffic. If you are parking (while spaces remain), you may be stuck behind loading/unloading buses. Please be patient.
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
GET THE “06880” APP
The “06880” app (search for it on the Apple or Android store) is the easiest way to get “06880.” Choose notifications: whenever a new post is published, or once or twice a day. Click here for details.
