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Andover selects contractor for Long Hill Bridge replacement; road near Route 6 to close May 1
Summary
Board reported a $3.9 million, grant-funded contract with Trade Winds to replace Long Hill Bridge; work is expected to begin May 1 with the road closure and conclude before Nov. 1, 2026; the board discussed traffic, temporary signals and coordination with emergency services and a nearby church food pantry.
The Andover Board of Selectmen reported on April 13 that the Long Hill Bridge replacement project is scheduled to begin May 1 under a $3.9 million contract with the contractor (identified at the meeting as Trade Winds). Town officials said the project is entirely funded by federal and state grants and was discussed at an opening meeting with engineers and the contractor.
Board members said the nearby road approaches (toward Route 6) will be closed during construction and that a temporary traffic signal or poles will be installed as part of the contractor's work. The bridge contract includes clearing work that already has required tree removal and pole work.
Officials discussed logistical concerns, including Wednesday traffic at a nearby church that runs a food pantry and emergency-services access. The board said it had contacted the local fire department and neighboring Coventry to coordinate response coverage and that equipment may be staged near senior-housing units to minimize response times.
Project timeline and funding: Town officials gave a target completion date of before Nov. 1, 2026, for the replacement. The board emphasized that the $3.9 million contract represents an increase of roughly $900,000 over a prior nearby bridge project and attributed the rise to general cost inflation; members said the work is intended to be completed quickly once started.
Why it matters: The closure and construction will disrupt traffic on a roadway that serves community services and could affect parking on days of high demand; the use of grant funds means the town is not expected to pay the full construction cost directly but will need to manage associated traffic and public-safety logistics.
Next steps: Board members tasked the town administrator and staff to coordinate with the contractor, the church affected by parking shifts, the fire department and neighboring towns to ensure safe access and minimize disruption during construction.
