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Board approves moving forward with easement for Long Swamp Road bridge replacement
Summary
The County Board of Preservation approved staff’s request to seek a small right-of-way acquisition and temporary construction easement to replace a timber bridge on Long Swamp Road with a single‑span structure designed to accommodate agricultural equipment; the item will move to MALF and the Board of Public Works for further action.
At its meeting, the County Board of Preservation voted by voice to approve staff’s plan to acquire a small permanent right-of-way and a temporary construction easement to allow replacement of a timber bridge on Long Swamp Road.
DPW representative Mr. North told the board the county intends to replace the existing timber bridge with a single-span structure spanning from bank to bank, avoiding piers in the water. "So there's no piers in the water," he said, adding the new bridge would use steel plate piles, concrete abutments and girders and would provide an 18–19 foot clear opening to better accommodate farm equipment. Mr. North cited recently completed projects, including the Legion Road Bridge and a Route 16 replacement at Williston, as design examples.
Staff and Mr. North said the replacement would remove current load posting restrictions and allow standard farm vehicles and straight trucks to cross. Staff described the permanent right-of-way requested as a very small area (remarks referenced about 0.007 acres) and said a temporary construction easement of roughly 244 square feet would be needed for supports and access during work. Staff also provided photos and maps showing the Gibbons property on the right side of the bridge and the already‑acquired Bobson property on the left.
A board member moved to accept the project as providing county and public benefits; the motion was seconded by the chair and approved by voice vote. The transcript records a voice approval but does not contain a roll-call or a recorded tally.
If the board’s approval stands, staff said the matter will be forwarded to the MALF board and then to the Board of Public Works for the easement release and final approvals. Staff indicated the item is expected to appear on the Board of Public Works agenda in coming months, subject to those reviews.
Meeting documents show the bridge is narrow and timber‑built; board members noted the structure’s poor condition and compared it with other local timber bridges in the county bridge inventory. No construction schedule or contract award was provided during the meeting; staff said timing depends on the subsequent approval steps.
