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SRPC report and engineering estimates warn of large bridge costs; town to consider FEMA grant
Summary
An SRPC traffic assessment and engineer estimates showed heavier-than-expected traffic on some local roads and preliminary engineering and permitting estimates ranging from roughly $175,000 to $200,000, with full replacement of some structures possibly exceeding $2 million.
The board reviewed an SRPC road assessment and a consultant’s engineering estimates for bridges and roadwork, and members highlighted several items for follow up.
A consultant’s traffic monitoring showed roughly 500 vehicles per day on Moose Mountain Road across a full 24‑hour sample, the board was told, while Lyford Road recorded much lower volumes overnight. Planning Board member Stephen Berry said the counts showed “about 500 vehicles a day on Moose Mountain Road, all covering all 24 hours.”
Leanna Mead of the engineering firm (identified by the board as the project engineer) provided preliminary cost estimates for engineering and permitting work. Mead reported an analysis citing about $175,000 for engineering, permits and surveying on one project and roughly $200,000 for permitting and planning/design on another. Mead told the board that fully replacing or substantially rebuilding some structures could increase costs sharply; when considering a replacement the consultant estimated the figure could “jump up to over $2,000,000.”
Board members said that the selectmen would discuss whether to proceed with engineering and design for Moose Mountain at their October meeting; one member said the town could not do both major projects at once because “the numbers are just too big.” The board also discussed pursuing a FEMA grant for the Tumbledown site and looking for state grant options.
The consultant flagged structural erosion under a wing wall and foundation at one site; board members called that a significant concern and asked staff to investigate grant eligibility. The board asked SRPC and the consultant for a clearer break‑out of engineering versus construction costs and for recommendations on prioritizing work.
The board requested larger-format maps and asked SRPC to clarify which road segments were included in the counts so the town can decide whether to pay for maintenance or request that the state assume responsibilities for identified sections.
