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Officials: I‑83 Southbridge project will not remove Dock Street dam; buoy plan and engineering fixes discussed
Summary
Commissioners discussed the Dock Street dam and I‑83 Southbridge project. A commissioner said American Rivers favors removal but noted local uses complicate that option; Joel Sayers said removal is not part of the I‑83 project and permanent buoys will be installed and turned over to the city.
Commissioners discussed the Dock Street dam in the context of the I‑83 Southbridge project and public concern about dam removal.
One commissioner noted American Rivers has urged dam removal in other cases but said removal would require an alternatives process and substantial public buy‑in. The commissioner also described engineering options that would regrade downstream masonry to reduce scour and safety hazards.
Joel Sayers said, from his dealings with the I‑83 project, "removal will not be part of that project," and added that the project will install permanent buoys upstream and downstream of the dam that will be turned over to the city once construction is complete. Sayers said he was not aware of any imminent plans for dam removal tied to the highway project.
The commission discussed the safety history at the dam site and noted that options and public sentiment would shape any future consideration of removal versus rehabilitation.
