Photo is Current Bridge
In Plymouth tonight, the Advisory and Finance Committee, or FinCom, will hear Article 9, this includes the Brook Road Capitol Improvement Project. The article allows funding for the design and construction of the Brook Road bridge. The town wants to replace a bridge that’s about 150 years old, although some residents do not approve.
Bobbi Clark files this report:
But DPW Director Jonathan Beder says many of the homeowners who abut the bridge are okay with the replacement of it:
“They understand the project and benefits and the merits of it.”
However, Selectman Betty Cavacco has heard from others who live on the old road and what they tell her is:
“They don’t want it.”
The Brook Road bridge replacement project failed at Town Meeting last August. There are consequences if that occurs again at spring Town Meeting, Beder says:
“If Town Meeting does not appropriate the funds we’ll lose the grant with MassDOT. I don’t see it happening anytime soon in terms of us having to close the road down due to the bridge failing. But it will happen over time. It’s not a question of if—it’s a question of when. And the costs will probably be double when we go back to do it in five or ten years.
And the money involved is considerable:
“We had a five hundred thousand dollar grant from MassDot. We received an extension on that grant until June of ’22. We are requesting that Town Meeting appropriate one point seven five million dollars to replace this bridge and it’s a necessity.”
Spring Town Meeting is April 3rd. FinCom meets tonight (Wednesday) remotely at 7. For log-in details go to the meeting agenda posted on the town’s website, Plymouth-ma.gov.
