Town outlines Drake’s Island Road bridge replacement, $2.5M NOAA grant covers construction

Carol Morris, study manager for the project, opened a hybrid public information meeting and said the initiative aims to "build a long-term safe, high-quality bridge," preserve salt‑marsh habitat and keep the community involved.

Lee, a bridge engineer presenting the design, said the plan adds a 5‑ft allowance on the north side of the structure "to give the town flexibility with their long-term planning," describing that area as a gravel shoulder that would be paved only over the bridge to protect the deck. The new structure will include a taller four‑bar rail on the north side and a crash‑tested rail on the south, and the bridge opening is being increased from about 10 ft to roughly 22 ft to reduce channel constriction.

On schedule and funding, Lee said the design is substantially complete, the town intends to advertise the project for bids in August, and construction is anticipated to begin in December with an estimated completion around May 2027. "Our construction cost estimate for this um is right around 2.5 million," he told the audience, and later confirmed the town has a NOAA grant that covers the full construction amount.

To maintain access during work, the team selected phased construction so "there'll be one lane of traffic open at all times that both directions will have to share," managed by automated traffic signals. Lee explained the choice of phasing instead of a temporary northern bridge was driven by a gravity sewer main and greater environmental impacts associated with a temporary structure. He also summarized construction sequencing: secure the site, install cofferdams and sheet piles through the soft marsh soils, tie piles with concrete, set precast rigid frames, and then build embankments and restore disturbed areas.

Organizers emphasized safety and traffic control. Lee said the worksite will be constrained and that short-duration full closures will be managed by flaggers so emergency vehicles can pass: "the flagger would wave that the ambulance down the open lane." The planned minimum single-lane width during phasing is 11 ft; the engineer said that is "within typical limits" and generally sufficient for large vehicles, though the town will coordinate any special checks for local fire apparatus.

Environmental measures described to attendees include using riprap topped with soil mixes that support salt‑marsh‑tolerant plants so slopes can re‑vegetate and help stabilize banks. Presenters said winter construction was chosen both to satisfy coastal environmental timing requirements and to take advantage of lower traffic volumes.

Residents pressed the team on several community concerns. Linda Payne said the current crossing is "in such terrible condition that I hold my breath every time we go over it," and asked about contingencies if the bridge failed before construction; Lee said rapid temporary solutions would be a town decision and noted the town secured funding "in partnership with the Wells Reserve." Multiple attendees warned that raising the roadway could increase ponding at approach areas; Lee responded that within the project limits the reconstructed cross section (about a 2% transverse pitch) is intended to shed water off the roadway and reduce shoulder pooling, and he explained why a single‑span approach was preferred over multiple culverts to avoid clogging and maintenance issues in marsh areas.

On pedestrian and bicycle access, the team said the project adds 4‑ft paved shoulders intended to serve bicyclists and pedestrians on both sides of the bridge, plus the 5‑ft left shoulder that would be gravel except where paved over the bridge. The design extends that paved or gravel shoulder roughly 150 ft beyond the bridge before tapering back to the existing roadway; the presenters and attendees agreed that extending sidewalks farther along Drake Road would require a separate town project.

The presentation closed after a question period addressing lane widths, drainage, emergency access, construction hours and contractor bidding. Lee said typical daytime work hours are expected and that winter bids have become more common. Organizers said bids will be reviewed publicly and CMA Engineers will assist the town in bid evaluation, while the town will make the final contractor selection.

Next steps: the town will post contract documents when advertised, accept bids, select a contractor and confirm exact construction start and work windows in the contract; residents were advised to watch the town website for the meeting report and subsequent procurement postings.