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Simsbury reopens historic Drake Hill Flower Bridge after structural restoration
Summary
Town public works completed structural repairs and a new protective coating on the 19th‑century Drake Hill Flower Bridge, with volunteers helping review plans and the town saying the new federal green coating should last through harsh winters.
Simsbury has reopened the Drake Hill Flower Bridge following a structural restoration that replaced compromised members and applied a new protective coating.
The work restored an 1800s‑era span that town officials described as “the heart and soul of Simsbury.” The project included structural repairs, an updated load evaluation and a specialized coating system selected for durability in New England winters.
Tom Roy, Simsbury public works director, said the town evaluated the bridge’s load rating and cut and replaced structural members "in the appropriate fashion to make sure the bridge was still structurally sound." Roy said volunteers from the Drake Hill Flower Bridge Committee worked with engineers and reviewed plans during the project.
Roy said the repainting used what he called "the correct historical color. It is federal green," and that the chosen coating—described in town documents as a "coating system"—is intended to help the bridge withstand harsh winters and extend the time before another repainting is needed.
Silva Engineering served as the consulting engineer to oversee structural work during removal and replacement of members, Roy said. He described the contractor and engineering team as ensuring the sequence of cuts and replacements preserved structural integrity.
The town celebrated the reopening with a ribbon‑cutting event and encouraged residents to view coverage on the local public access station.
The bridge committee, the public works department and Silva Engineering collaborated on the work, which Roy said he hopes will not need similar attention again during his career.
