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Westmoreland bridge closure raises access concerns for nursing home; county to press state for help
Summary
Commissioners were notified the select board of Westmoreland closed the River Road bridge after state safety findings; Cheshire County officials said they will convene a Zoom with state and delegation representatives to press for expedited repairs because a nursing home lies on the far side and alternate routes flood.
The Cheshire County commission on Wednesday discussed a sudden closure of the River Road bridge in Westmoreland and the potential impact on access to a nursing home across the river. The chair reported the town’s select board closed the bridge after waiting for state feedback on safety concerns and said county leaders will convene a meeting with state and local officials to push for quicker action.
Speaker 1 told commissioners the select board acted after waiting "two and a half, three months" for state guidance and that the bridge has been red‑flagged in past reviews. He said the county will seek a Zoom meeting that will include the county delegation and state officials such as Senator Fenton to explain the urgency and ask for prioritization at the governor’s level.
Speaker 1 and others noted the state typically applies an 80/20 or 90/10 cost share for bridge projects, and Speaker 1 estimated the local share could be about $800,000 under the likely split. He said the state has prepared drawings for replacement and that the bridge will be closed for a period while work proceeds. Commissioners raised concerns about flooding on Partridge Brook Road — an alternate route — which regularly becomes impassable and could complicate access to the nursing home while the bridge is out.
No formal vote was taken. Commissioners requested the select‑board chair’s one‑page status summary and said they would assemble involved officials for a coordinated strategy. Speaker 1 said he asked for that summary to be provided immediately so the county and delegation could plan next steps.
Representative quotes: "We need to get in front of the governor’s desk," Speaker 1 said, urging urgency because of the nursing home on the far side of the bridge. "If that bridge is closed, it affects our work" and may require alternate emergency planning while the closure remains in place.
Next steps: County staff will schedule the Zoom with state and delegation members, circulate the select board’s summary of work to date, and assess interim access or emergency plans for the nursing home while the bridge remains closed.
