COLRAIN — With repair plans already underway for the two town bridges in the poorest shape, Selectboard members are releasing a report that analyzes and details future repairs needed eventually for another ten bridges in town.
The detailed BSC Group report recommends which bridges should be next scheduled for repairs or replacement, based on condition, amount of use, emergency vehicle accessibility and availability of reasonable detours. It measures such structural problems as scouring on bridge abutments, deteriorated concrete, exposed rebars and rust.
Currently, the Call Road bridge is closed, but design plans are underway. Also, the Heath Road bridge off Adamsville Road is under construction.
The next top-10 bridges on the priority list include three Adamsville Road bridges, respectively over Sanders Brook, Vincent Brook and North River. There are also three bridges on Heath Road, with two crossing Taylor Brook and one over the West Branch of North River. The others are located on North Catamount Hill Road, Stacy Road, White Lane, and Thompson Road.
The money for the study was provided by a $25,000 Community Compact “best practices” grant from the state for long-range planning/forecasting.
Town Coordinator Kevin Fox said the study will help the town be proactive in planning for future bridge repairs and in applying for bridge repair grants, because the town will know what specific improvements are needed.
“The purpose of this report was to provide Colrain with a greater understanding of the bridges and culverts owned by the community,” says the report. “This report also provides Colrain with specific information on their structures, how they became deficient, and steps to prevent further deterioration. This report and priority ranking gives Colrain options for preventative maintenance, repairs, and possible replacement of its municipally owned bridges and culverts.
“There are 33 MassDOT inventoried municipally owned bridges and culverts. Based on future meetings with Colrain, the ranking will likely be adjusted to reflect additional community input,” says the study.
“The bridges and culverts chosen for this study were evaluated by their structural deficiencies, load postings, school bus routes, emergency services and importance to the residences and businesses of the community. These 10 structures were ranked 1 to 10, with 1 being the most critical to the town’s needs and the degree of structural deficiencies.”
A copy of the report is available for viewing at the Town Office during regular office hours.