Selectboard keeps Wall Street one-way after engineer flags failing retaining wall

An engineering review identifying instability of a slope and retaining wall along Wall Street prompted the Springfield Selectboard to keep an emergency one-way traffic pattern and sidewalk closure in place beyond the standard 30-day advisory.

Town Manager Scott Pickup told the board the town has narrowed the roadway, blocked the sidewalk in the affected area and implemented a one-way pattern as emergency measures to keep vehicles away from the failing edge. Pickup said consulting engineers are preparing follow-up recommendations on options and costs for shore-up and temporary repairs, and staff will pursue possible state and federal funding once a repair scope is defined.

Pickup also noted the emergency advisory differs from the direction specified in a September 2025 ordinance-committee recommendation that had previously designated a portion of Wall Street as one-way. He recommended the current advisory continue until engineers identify repair options and funding sources and until the Selectboard discusses broader project prioritization at its June 9 strategic planning session.

Resident Dan Keebler asked that the engineer’s evaluation be expanded to include all compromised sidewalk and road-support areas along Wall Street and the municipal stairway that connects to the parking lot, saying the stairway may help support the sidewalk and could need repair or removal. Pickup said staff would include those areas in future design decisions.

No formal motion or vote to change traffic patterns or spend funds was taken at the June 1 meeting. The Selectboard will review the consulting engineer’s recommendations and potential funding avenues before considering formal action.