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Debate over Christian Hill bridge and Ashuelot Rail Trail grants divides Swansea voters
Summary
Petitioners urged preserving the historic Christian Hill Road bridge in place; town officials and trail proponents described federal funding and a plan to reuse parts of the existing bridge to fix washouts on the Ashuelot Rail Trail. Supporters warned that rejecting the DOT/FHWA plan could cost the town roughly $2.5 million in grant funding and delay trail repairs into the next decade.
Two petition articles and extensive public comment on the Christian Hill Road bridge and Ashuelot Rail Trail drew some of the most heated discussion at Swansea's deliberative session.
Petitioner John Trainor argued the Christian Hill bridge is an important historic landmark and should be preserved in its current location. "I believe we should keep our historic landmarks here in town and not destroy them," he told the meeting, saying the bridge could be repaired rather than demolished and that town voters had not been fully informed in earlier votes.
Town planners and members of the rail‑trail advisory committee and the state and…
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