Engineer recommends bridge to stop erosion at Martin’s Ferry Road; estimate rises to about $2.8 million

Bruce Thomas, the town engineer, presented Article 4 asking the committee to support reconstruction at the Martins Ferry Road and River Road intersection. He said repeated erosion and a misaligned stream have undermined the roadway and guardrails and that the existing culvert and slab configuration prevents proper roadway grading and drainage. Thomas said that reconstructing the intersection and replacing the culvert with a bridge would restore the stream to a more natural course and eliminate recurring erosion and maintenance costs.

Thomas told the committee a bridge would bring long‑term benefits including state bridge inspections and eligibility for reimbursement programs for future repairs. He said last year’s estimate (on the record during the meeting) had been approximately $1.6 million and that the current engineer estimate is about $2.8 million; he emphasized the $2.8 million figure is the consultant engineer’s estimate and not a bid. Committee members discussed the potential for phasing the work, options if Southern New Hampshire University were engaged as a partner, and the risks posed by losing roadway guardrails. No vote on Article 4 was taken; the committee will hear the article again at the public hearing.