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Select Board leans toward steel railing for Main Street bridge replacement, citing safety and maintenance
Summary
As federally funded bridge replacement moves through MassDOT design, staff recommended steel railing over concrete 'Texas rail' for resilience at an adjacent intersection; the board voted 3–2 in favor of steel to guide the project team.
Town staff said the Walnut/Main Street bridge replacement is moving through MassDOT’s design process with federal funding, and MassDOT’s OPM offered two railing options: a concrete ‘Texas rail’ (used on other town bridges) or a metal/steel rail. Staff and the town engineer recommended steel at this location because of the adjacent intersection and a higher likelihood of collision damage there; members weighing aesthetics favored concrete to match other local bridges.
After discussion of long-term repair costs and aesthetics, the board conducted an informal vote and directed staff to proceed with steel railing as the town’s preference to communicate to MassDOT’s OPM. The decision is guidance to the design team rather than a final construction contract selection.
