State awards $340,000 to replace Fountain Green cemetery bridge; construction expected next season

Fountain Green won a full state grant to replace the cemetery bridge and regrade the approach road, the mayor announced at the Nov. 20 council meeting.

Council members described working with Sunrise Engineering to revise the project so that drivers no longer "nosedive" into the cemetery entry road: the proposal raises the approach, widens the bridge to 21 feet (the maximum that preserves the existing archway) and includes protective measures for two water service lines under the bridge. The city requested $340,000 and received a state grant covering the full amount with no local match required.

According to staff, the prebuilt bridge will be installed when weather permits, with a construction completion deadline set by the state for June 1 and a guarantee to finish well before Memorial Day. Staff said Sunrise will handle demolition and installation; the city will coordinate temporary access and contingency routes for funerals during construction.

Councilors said leftover grant funds must be returned to the state if not used; staff noted some remaining small flood-related funds ($80,000 originally allocated) will be returned. The council instructed staff to include Willard and others with construction knowledge in project planning and to work with the state representative on scheduling and the prebuilt-bridge timeline.

The council did not vote to accept the grant at the meeting because the letter of award was received earlier in the week; officials confirmed funding and discussed next steps for scheduling and coordination with Sunrise Engineering.