WESTPORT–In response to an inquiry from Westporter Werner Liepolt, First Selectman Kevin Christie said the town doesn’t own the Cribari Bridge. “We … have not found documentation establishing that the Town owns the Cribari Bridge,” Christie wrote in an email to Liepolt.
Further, Christie explained, he asked town attorney Ira Bloom to review “available information.”
Bloom’s “initial assessment” indicates “state ownership.”
The RTM established a Cribari Bridge committee on Tuesday. The state DOT will hold a Project Update Meeting on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall auditorium.
Thank you to Richard Rogovin for initiating a search into who holds what authority over the Cribari Bridge quite a while ago. I am glad the dialogue and the search for historical records has begun. We need to bring these records forward. As evidence is uncovered they seem to warrant a fuller explanation of the bridge’s ownership history.
I would be cautious, though, about treating historical deeds as conclusive evidence of present ownership, or assuming that ownership alone settles the State’s authority to undertake this project.
I hope the Town and CTDOT will make the relevant records and the basis for their conclusions publicly available, distinguishing the bridge itself from its approaches and rights-of-way. We need to understand what these documents establish and what remains unresolved.
That clarification should help Westport address the larger question: how to provide a safe crossing while protecting Saugatuck’s residents and historic neighborhood from the consequences of heavy\-truck traffic.
I, for one, welcome Mr. Rogovin’s research and opinions… always helpful, always stimulating..
I know that money is a prime consideration here but if the state “owns” the bridge the state will call the shots no matter how much we cry and gnash our teeth. So I hope it doesn’t. I remember the temporary bridge when the brudge was last repaired and I remember Bill Cribari directing traffic and Peter’s Bridge Market. But that was when the truck traffic was not abysmal 24/7. After 22 years in Westport I now live 4 driveways beyond the Westport Town line on a street that Wayz considers a prime alternate when I95 is jammed and yes, we do get semis on our street. But usually it is difficult to exit or enter our driveway. If the bridge is replaced with modern truck bearing standards it will make living more difficult in the neighborhood’s that is already severely impacted. I hope the state does not own it and there are federal funds that at least allow us to keep the status quo and a safe bridge.