Milford council authorizes engineering study after Mispillion River undermines Riverwalk wall

Parks and Recreation Director Brad Denney told the Milford City Council on March 10 that a section of the Riverwalk near Washington Street has suffered concrete settlement and erosion that appears to be caused by river action. The council authorized an initial engineering study and design options from GPI with a requested professional-services authorization of about $35,000.

Denney said snow followed by a heavy rain and an unusually low tide exposed severe undermining of the concrete wall abutting the Mispillion River. "We are in a real jeopardy of losing that whole concrete wall," he said, describing both vertical and horizontal cracking and settlement adjacent to the Riverwalk handrail. City crews have installed a six-foot chain-link fence to keep pedestrians away from the area.

Denney asked council to authorize GPI, a local engineering firm, to perform surveying, develop three design options and produce cost estimates and plans. He described potential fixes ranging from sheet piling to more aesthetic riprap or terrace solutions and said a full fix will not be quick or cheap.

Finance staff told council that the $35,000 request could be funded by moving money inside the approved capital-improvement program (CIP), but because the transfer would reallocate previously approved CIP funds, the solicitor and finance director advised council approval was required. "Even though it's the same department and a similar project, it's not as approved in the CIP. That's why we're here," Lou Vitola said.

Council voted to authorize Parks and Recreation to proceed with the GPI proposal and to use identified CIP funds to cover the professional-services request. Denney and public works staff said they would return with options and cost estimates once GPI completes the survey and design work.