The town is proceeding with a long-term repair to the failed culvert on County Road. The goal is still to have the culvert repaired and County Road open by the end of the 2017 construction season.
The corroded and failed metal culvert bottom will be replaced with a reinforced concrete base, and the road above the culvert will be repaired. It’s estimated that this sustainable repair will last for decades. There have been several environmental regulatory issues to deal with, but a satisfactory environmental solution has been created.
The project is currently being designed by the Dufresne Group, an engineering firm with an office in Springfield. July 15th is the date by which we expect to have the project out for bids. We plan to inform qualified contractors in the region of the project and its timeframe this week.
The estimated cost including engineering is approaching $300,000, and it will likely be funded entirely with Town funds. Due to the short lead time of the project we have yet to find other funding sources.
The Town is still committed to creating a more suitable entrance into the Industrial Park for truck traffic and is pursuing alternative routes for a long-term solution. Meetings are being set-up with VTrans, other state agencies, and the Economic Development Administration to pursue alternative routes, funding and conceptual approvals.
The Springfield Selectboard has approved the courses of action described above. If anyone would like another group meeting to discuss this project, please let me know.
Tom Yennerell,
Town Manager
Our tax dollars at work! Springfield is also replacing the main sewer line that runs past the James Douglas State Office building, about 3,000 feet (they scoped the old one last year and found it has a crack running the length of the bottom). When it's installed, there will be no more storm water discharges of sewage and runoff into the river! Rumor has it that sections of the old pipe will be given to four-year-olds who want to show impressive karate moves by breaking it with a single chop of the hand.
ReplyDeleteTrying to be patient with this, but it is tough to deal with the constant Tractor Trailer trucks going by on our road... Mill Rd. that turns into Main St. There have already been many close calls and two trucks cannot both pass on the same corner, so one has to stop to let he other one go. That goes for the trucks and a School bus's as well. Makes for a lot of last minute stops and close calls. The sidewalk has been hit many times due to the lack of room to pass. I feel for the truck drivers as well, as they are only trying to do their job and I am sure they do not like driving down such a road.
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