It’s not the Cribari Bridge, or the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge.
In fact, most Westporters never even realized there was a bridge on Jesup Road at all.
But when 7 inches of rain rendered the bridge — really just a tiny bit of road a few yards from Imperial Avenue — too dangerous to use last month, Westporters suddenly realized how important that little shortcut is. (Click here for yesterday’s story about the replacement process.)
It’s a quick way to avoid the Post Road, on the way to the Library and Levitt Pavilion.
More importantly, it’s the quickest way for police and Emergency Medical Services — whose headquarters are just up the hill — to head to just about any location in town east of the Saugatuck River.
The Jesup Road bridge is at the foot of the street, where it intersects with Imperial Avenue.
Even a fast-track replacement could take 12 to 18 months, considering the permitting, planning, review, budgeting and construction process.
So what — besides praying we don’t have a dire medical emergency — can we do?
Not much, beyond holding town (and state) officials’ feet to the fire.
But we can try to create workarounds.
One idea is to create alternate routes.
Several Westporters independently came up with the same ideas.
One is to make Bay Street — the short 1-way road that runs from Post Road East past Design Within Reach and the Cake Box to Jesup Road — 2-way. Parking along the road would be eliminated.
That’s a great plan — and not just because it provides important access to the Post Road.
Right now, cars park on both sides of Bay Street. It’s narrow to begin with. When you consider the size of today’s vehicles — and the less-than-stellar parallel parkin job some drivers do — it would also alleviate some of that mess.
Currently, cars park on both sides of Bay Street. (Photo/Google Maps)
Similarly, Taylor Place — the even shorter road that connects the lower library parking lot at the foot of Jesup Green (and Jesup Road) with the Post Road, from Tonic & Green to Tiffany — could also be converted to 2-way traffic. Or perhaps there could be 2 lanes of traffic, one for turning left or going straight, the other turning right.
A few 15-minute parking spots would be eliminated there, along with a delivery zone. But they seem like trade-offs that would help overall.
Taylor Place
Those are a couple of alternatives. “06880” readers probably have others thoughts. Click “Comments” below.
Meanwhile, there’s one other quick fix to make traffic flow a bit smoother: Take down the Imperial Avenue stop signs, in both directions, at Jesup Road.
For the next 12 to 18 months, there will be no need to stop there.
(“06880” keeps an eye on Westport — everywhere, in every way. If you enjoy our 24/7/365 coverage, please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Town officials are moving ahead on a replacement for the Jesup Road bridge. The small span — an important link between police headquarters, the Library and Levitt Pavilion, and Imperial Avenue — has been closed since the September 13 rain bomb.
Bids on a replacement design will be received through 11 a.m. October 28, at the Town Hall finance office (room 313). The Request for Proposal covers engineering and design services for the replacement bridge, including surveys, hydraulic analysis, environmental review, design, permitting and bid support.
Bids will be opened at 11:30 a.m. that same day, via Zoom. Interested parties may apply for access by emailing bwatson@westportct.gov.
This is the Jesup Road bridge that must be replaced. (Photo/Susan Teicher)
“We recognize the importance of restoring this connection as quickly as responsibly possible,” says 1st Selectman Kevin Christe.
“We are moving engineering, permitting and funding forward in parallel wherever possible, with a focus on delivering a replacement that is safe and more resilient.”
Public Works Director Larry Roberts adds, “The replacement needs to be designed for the larger storm events and hydraulic conditions we are experiencing today.
“By coordinating engineering, permitting and agency review from the beginning, we can work to shorten the overall project schedule while ensuring the new bridge is designed appropriately for the site.”
The underside of the damaged Jesup Road bridge.
Since the September 13 storm, the town has worked with federal, state and regional partners to identify opportunities to expedite the replacement and pursue available funding.
Town officials are also evaluating whether a temporary bridge or other interim access solution could safely and responsibly restore the connection while the permanent replacement moves forward, including whether such an investment would be financially prudent.
Officials say that Emergency Medical Services conducted test routes under emergency conditions, and found that the bridge closure does not significantly affect response times.
The town is monitoring traffic patterns, and evaluating potential adjustments to improve traffic flow and access while the bridge remains closed.
The Board of Finance will consider a $172,500 appropriation for design and permitting on October 7. Representative Town Meeting (RTM) Finance, Public Works and Transit committees voted unanimously Tuesday night to recommend the appropriation to the full RTM, subject to Board of Finance approval.
The full RTM could then consider it at a special meeting before its regularly scheduled November meeting.
As we prepare for another weekend of wild weather — rain, wind, and who knows what else — here are some helpful links.
Connecticut Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection: click here.
State Senator Tony Hwang — who provided this information — hosted a recent Extreme Weather & Coastal Resiliency Informational Forum. It highlighted
the importance of resiliency and preparation against growing risks of flooding, severe winds, coastal erosion and extreme weather. Click here to see.
From that forum, you can link to FEMA’s Severe Wind Protection Plan (click here; page 19) and Financial Preparedness and Homeowners’ Insurance Claims (page 15).
The Connecticut Insurance Department has also launched a resource to assist with preparedness. Click here to see.
Will this weekend bring a repeat of 2 weekends ago? Be prepared!
================================================
Meanwhile: Still cleaning up from the September 13 flood (while preparing for this weekend’s weather)?
Help may be near.
And it’s free.
The state Division of Emergency Management & Homeland Security and CT Volunteer Organizations Assisting in Disasters has engaged the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief organization to offer free help.
Assistance includes assessment, removal of damaged items and materials, cleanup and mold mitigation.
To request assistance, call 203-628-6978. Leave a message after the beep with your name, phone number, address, and a brief description of your needs.
.
=================================================
One cancellation already for tomorrow: The Fun Fest at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport.
Two important projects — one (hopefully relatively) short-term, the other longer — are on the agenda when the Board of Finance meets October 7 (7:30 p.m., Town Hall auditorium; livestream at www.westportct.gov).
The board will be asked to approve an appropriation of $172,5000, for the design cost and permitting of the Jesup Road bridge replacement.
The short, often unnoticed span was weakened during the September 13 flood. The road is closed, shutting off an important route from Imperial Avenue to the police station, Library and Levitt Pavilion.
The project has been estimated to take 12 to 18 months. Residents and town officials hope for an expedited process.
The second request is for $176,000, for the initial assessment and “new vs. renovation comparison study” for the future Coleytown Elementary School project.
This would be an initial step in a long-awaited process for the 1950s-era building.
The BOF will also consider a request for $1,119,000, for consultant services in support of the Safe Streets and Roads for All, Supplemental Planning and Demonstration Grant.
The state Department of Transportation will mill and resurface Route 57 (Weston Road) from Easton Road (Route 136) to just south of the Weston town line, beginning Sunday.
The work is expected to be completed by October 9, weather permitting.
Although this section of Route 57 was resurfaced in June, the top layer of asphalt is to be replaced due to an issue with the paving material.
The tentative start date for the milling portion of the project is scheduled to begin Sunday night, and continue for approximately 3 nights.
The tentative start date for the paving portion is the night of Wednesday, September 30, 2026, and continue for approximately 3 nights.
The Westport Prize for Literature goes to … “Good People.” The debut novel by Patmeena Sabit was selected by an independent jury from a field of finalists that also included “Transcription” by Ben Lerner and “The Children” by Melissa Albert.
Now in its 4th year, the $10,000 annual prize honors original works of literary fiction published in the US that are both relevant and timeless. The prize is administered by Westport resident volunteers.
Sabit will receive the prize at the Library on November 12 (7 p.m.), followed by a conversation with Meghan O’Rourke, editor of The Yale Review. Copies of Good People will be available for purchase at the event, and Sabit will sign books afterward. For more information about the event, click here.
How often do you get a chance to hear a Grammy-nominated singer in Westport … for free?
(Besides the Levitt Pavilion, of course.)
Next Friday (October 2, 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport), baritone Sidney Outlaw and pianist Piotr Kozlowsk presenting the Connecticut premiere of “26 Ways of Looking at a Black Man,” with music by B.E. Boykin and poetry by Raymond Patterson.
The UU says, “This is an opportunity not simply to hear a world-class performer, but to gather around a deeply meaningful work that centers Black artistry, identity and lived experience.”
And finally … on this date in 2001 — 20 years after his death — the voice of Bob Marley ushered satellite radio onto the air. It promised listeners greater variety — for a price — with the launch of XM Satellite Radio. It was the first worldwide broadcast of a satellite radio station
(We’re getting ready for another weekend. As always, “06880” will be here with whatever news you need. And as always, we’re grateful for any readers who click here to support our work. Thank you!)
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: danwoog@gmail.com. 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.
