Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Oceanville Bridge topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
MDOT advises costly repairs for Oceanville bridge; town faces potential $100,000 municipal share for granite facing
Summary
MDOT engineers told the Stonington Selectmen that Oceanville bridge foundations are compromised and replacing the structure could require granite-facing work; MDOT offered a municipal agreement that would place about half the granite-facing cost on the town (roughly $100,000), and selectmen said they would solicit public feedback and review options.
MDOT representatives briefed the Stonington Selectmen on preliminary plans to replace the Oceanville bridge and described structural and foundation issues that complicate a straightforward replacement. Andrew Lathe (MDOT) and engineer Jaime French explained that the northern piling sits on glacial till rather than on bedrock, limiting options and complicating a rebuild that preserves the historic granite facing.
Attendees asked whether the project could replace only the metal span; MDOT said the compromised piling and abutment conditions likely require a more substantial solution. The agency presented cost estimates for restoring the granite-facing aesthetic and indicated it could offer a municipal agreement covering 50% of the facing cost, leaving an estimated town share of about $100,000 for the granite treatment if the town opts for that option.
Selectmen asked about alternatives including using concrete treatments, reducing the facing scope, and a one-lane bridge with traffic control; MDOT discussed those options during the presentation and indicated further design work and abutter outreach would continue. The town scheduled follow-up conversations and site visits with MDOT staff and planned to solicit community feedback before committing to any municipal funding.
Why it matters: The Oceanville causeway and bridge connect residents and businesses on the peninsula; a substantial municipal share for aesthetic-facing work or other locally requested features would affect the town's capital planning and priorities.
Next steps: MDOT will continue engineering work and abutter outreach; Selectmen will host or approve subsequent meetings and evaluate municipal agreement details and potential local costs before any vote.
Provenance: Topic introduced at SEG 014 and continued in follow-up items (topic finish SEG 015).
