Sheffield officials detail Kellogg Road Bridge closure, seek $1M engineering to accelerate replacement

Sheffield officials told residents Oct. 15 that the Kellogg Road Bridge has been closed for safety after a recent state inspection and that the town will pursue engineering and state grant support to move a full replacement up the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) list.

Rhonda, a town official who delivered a prepared statement, said the bridge is town‑owned but inspected by the state. Inspections dating to 2022 (and a focused inspection in May 2024) showed deterioration of the deck and some beams; the state subsequently sent a letter directing the town to repair or close the bridge within 30 days. "We voted to close the bridge for the safety of our citizens because we could not comply with what the state had requested," Rhonda said.

Why it matters: Town engineers and officials said short‑term repairs recommended by the state — described in the letter as work on the underside that could cost approximately $400,000–$500,000 — would not address deck deterioration and could drop the bridge's priority on the TIP list. Rhonda told the meeting an engineered replacement plan is the path to a higher TIP ranking; the board estimates engineering and permitting at about $1 million and a full replacement at about $5 million. The town will pursue a MassWorks grant to pay for engineering and is asking residents to write to state representatives, senators and the governor to press for assistance.

Residents pressed officials on alternatives and past handling. Several speakers described the detour's impacts on emergency response and daily travel; one resident said an ambulance to a 93‑year‑old arrived 15–20 minutes later during the closure. Citizens asked whether the town could restrict the bridge to passenger vehicles or reduce lanes; officials said the state did not authorize a partial restriction when it reviewed the bridge. Rhonda said routine inspections in 2022 rated some elements "fair with deficiencies" and that the town began working with its engineering firm (BSC Group) in 2020 to monitor bridges, but that the state's September letter set a 30‑day compliance window the town could not meet with engineered repairs.

The town will take several steps: request MassWorks engineering funds, pursue state advocacy, and coordinate with neighboring towns that face similar bridge issues. Officials advised that short, personalized letters from residents to state officials are more effective than form letters and offered to provide addresses and a draft outline for residents to adapt.

Next steps: Officials said they will apply for the MassWorks grant when the funding round opens, continue engineering work with BSC Group to finalize plans, and report back to the board after a planned meeting with the state's rural affairs secretary. The town encouraged residents to contact state officials to elevate the project's priority.