Selectman: Hollenbeck River bridge replacement now with State, federal funds to cover cost

Selectman Chris Kinsella told the Commission that the Cobble Road Hollenbeck River bridge replacement is now in the hands of the State and will be paid in full by federal funding, but the project is not expected to occur for several years. Kinsella cautioned that the State may require the bridge to be fully closed during replacement work. "The bridge replacement is now in the hands of the State. The cost of the bridge replacement will be paid in entirety by the federal government, but said replacement will likely not occur for several years," the minutes record.

Commission members reported that recent repairs to the eastern end of Cobble Road appear to be holding and are effectively directing water during heavy rainfall. Members also noted that a culvert replacement over Wangum Brook cannot proceed until the Hollenbeck River bridge has been replaced; culvert costs will be equally shared with the State through an open grant. Mark Burdick further relayed a February 25, 2026 letter from First Selectman Barger and the Council on Environmental Quality advising the Commission to carefully review the proposed bridge project when it is formally presented. DEEP and USFWS records were cited in the letter indicating potential occurrence of the endangered Long-eared Bat and the threatened Bog Turtle in the project vicinity; the Commission was advised to consider those records in its review process.

No formal action was taken on the bridge during the meeting; members were alerted to the project timeline, funding source, and potential environmental constraints so the Commission can prepare for future review.