Springfield seeks help patching River Street

Town officials are trying to do something about River Street in downtown Springfield, which has been hard hit by this winter’s weather.
http://rutlandherald.com/article/20140419/NEWS02/704199959

Potholes are shown on River Street in Springfield. Photo: PHOTO BY LEN EMERYPublished April 19, 2014 in the Rutland Herald Springfield seeks help patching River Street By SUSAN SMALLHEER Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD — Town officials are trying to do something about River Street in downtown Springfield, which has been hard hit by this winter’s weather. The road, which links downtown Springfield with the Springfield Shopping Plaza, has turned into a motorists’ obstacle course between Valley Street and the new retaining wall in front of the old Fellows Gear Shaper building, according to Town Manager Robert Forguites. Ironically, the Class 1 state highway is slated for a $2 million facelift next year by the Agency of Transportation, so the town has been reluctant to put too much money into it. “It’s clear something has to be done,” Forguites said. The condition of River Street was the source of much discussion during the Select Board’s meeting this week, he said. Forguites has reached out to Rep. Alice Emmons, D-Springfield, who is in a position to help as chairwoman of the House Institutions Committee. Emmons said she had contacted Rep. Pat Brennan, R-Colchester, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, about emergency funding for that portion of River Street. Emmons, in a series of emails, said the Legislature is investigating helping other towns in similar positions with key state highways. “I connected with the chair of the House Transportation Committee, for the request of putting Springfield on the list to receive money for repairs,” she said. Emmons said the town needs to be put on the list for emergency aid. “The question then becomes, ‘How far down the list does the money cover?’” Emmons said. Forguites said the town is seeking estimates for putting down a skim coat of paving on the most troublesome section. “We’re waiting on figures,” he said. Until now, Springfield has been waiting for the hot-mix plant to reopen for the warm weather season to make better, but temporary repairs. Cold-mix, a tar and gravel patch for cold weather, usually is only a temporary fix, Forguites said. The potholes and delamination of the pavement has created an obstacle course for drivers on the busy road, as they weave back and forth to avoid the worst conditions, he said. “I would guess that the worst part is a quarter of a mile,” the manager said. “We have to do something to keep the road together for another year.” He estimated it had been 15 years since the state had paved River Street, which is also Route 11 and 106 at that point. He said in 2015, the state is supposed to plane down the road and repave it, starting near the Springfield wastewater treatment plant on Clinton Street, proceeding up Main Street and River Street, but turning and following Route 11 out past the Springfield Shopping Plaza, McDonald’s restaurant, Riverside Middle School to the foot of Hospital Hill. “It’s about two miles, and that’s basically our Class 1 road,” he said. The problem, Forguites said, is that Springfield is not alone with winter-damaged roads. “Everyone has heavy road damage this winter,” he said.