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MDOT presents Oceanville bridge options; town faces potential $100,000 share for granite facing
Summary
MDOT engineers told Stonington selectmen the Oceanville bridge's northern piling is compromised and that replacing the bridge could require granite-facing work; a municipal agreement could cover 50% of granite-facing costs, approximately $100,000 for the town. Selectmen will solicit public feedback and may request further engineering input.
MDOT engineers described structural problems at the Oceanville bridge and outlined replacement options that would address compromised northern piling and foundation conditions.
Andrew Lathe and engineering partner Jaime French told the Selectmen that the northern piling is not founded on bedrock and that restoring the full historic granite facing would be possible but costly. They said a municipal agreement could cover half the cost of granite facing, estimating the town’s share at roughly $100,000. Engineers discussed alternate designs including a single-lane bridge with traffic signals and varying approaches to the granite aesthetics and abutment stabilization.
Residents asked whether concrete or other reinforcements could be used; MDOT staff said bedrock and piling conditions limit options and that using cement in lieu of other supports could be problematic on the existing substrate. The Selectmen agreed to gather public input, consider site visits and solicit additional opinions if warranted before making any commitments.
Separately, the Town Manager reported progress on a causeway planning study supported by the congressional delegation with roughly $200,000 in initial funding to study replacement options for the causeway and related infrastructure; that study is distinct from the Oceanville bridge immediate replacement work but underscores broader regional infrastructure planning needs.
No binding municipal commitment was executed at the meeting; the Selectmen did approve continuing the public process and the board discussed the possibility of pursuing a municipal agreement if the town elects to fund aesthetic granite facing or other nonfederally required elements.
