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Westport Conservation Commission approves Bridal Road water-main extension, with conditions pending MassDOT review
Summary
The commission approved a town notice of intent to extend a 12-inch water main across Route 88 to the Bridal Road/Briggs Road neighborhoods and fire station, with about 370 feet of work in the 100-foot wetland buffer; approval was conditioned on standard erosion controls and pending MassDOT comments.
The Westport Conservation Commission on June 23 approved a town-led plan to extend a 12-inch water main from Gifford Road/Route 6 across Route 88 to Bridal (Briggs) Road and the Bridal Road Fire Station, with the work to serve properties on Oakland, Glenwood and Elmwood avenues.
Alex from Kleinfelder, the town’s engineering firm, told the commission the base bid covers Bridal Road and an alternate bid could extend service deeper into neighborhood streets depending on funding. He said about 370 feet of the proposed line will lie in the 100-foot wetland buffer and that the closest work to wetland areas is within the existing road layout. "So in terms of wetlands for the Bridal Road portion, there's a larger drainage crossing ... there's about 370 feet of water main in the 100-foot buffer of the wetlands," Alex said.
Staff recommended approval with standard erosion-control conditions and a requirement to address any MassDOT comments for work in the state highway right-of-way. The conservation agent noted the work is mostly within the road layout and posed no unusual resource-area concerns, but said erosion controls must be installed and maintained until disturbed areas are stabilized. "I don't have any concerns to the project here, again, because it's within the road layout," staff said.
Commissioners asked how the line would cross Route 88; Alex said the planned method is an open cut. The panel discussed erosion controls, hydrant locations and the need for MassDOT sign-off where the state highway is affected. After discussion the commission moved, seconded and unanimously approved the notice of intent, with approvals conditioned on MassDOT comments and standard erosion-control and monitoring measures.
The approval clears the town to advance bidding and contract award processes; the commission recorded no special conditions beyond standard buffer-zone protections, monitoring and coordination with state agencies. The town will proceed with bid documents and award decisions once funding and the bidding process are complete.
