Bridge Work Is Back On Track

WINSTED — Scheduled for completion by November’s end, the new Division Street Bridge is taking shape. After five years of planning, discussion and funding issues, the bridge will be a sight for a few town leaders’ sore eyes.

"It’s on time and on schedule," said Director of Public Works Pat Hague.

While a few setbacks were seen recently involving problems related to a gas line, the project is back on track and moving along very well, said Hague.

"This week they are replacing the gas main and they will begin to bring the cranes in to work on the decking, which is the top set of concrete you actually drive over," said Town Manager Owen Quinn. He also said they would be working on the curbs and sidewalks in the near future as well.

"In the next couple of weeks, we will get an idea of how it is going to look," said Quinn.

The bridge work began at the beginning of September, but Hague said he has been working on the project since at least 2002, when planning began.

Nearly $90,000 was spent by the state to design engineering plans and other pre-bid work. Due to an oversight by town officials, when it was time to begin construction, there was no money in the budget for the project.

"In the 11th hour there was not a line item to pay for the construction of the bridge," said Quinn.

After a special town meeting was called for an appropriation to be made, the town voted to fund the project, rather than reimbursing the state for pre-paid expenses.

The total cost of the bridge project was $931,226.

"I think the progress is going very well on the Division Street Bridge," said Quinn.