By Thane Grauel

WESTON — Pedestrian safety, infrastructure aesthetics, federal design standards and other issues collided Monday on an otherwise sleepy bridge between Westport and Weston.

The nearly complete, $2.5 million project to replace the span that carries Cavalry Road over the West Branch of the Saugatuck River appears to have no one, on either side of the river or town line, particularly pleased. 

It was the subject of an online meeting Monday to sort out concerns, and find a way forward.

The state Department of Transportation put Weston in charge of managing the bridge replacement, under way about two years. It is largely funded by the federal government.

Neighbors fault bridge aesthetics

After seeing how it looked in reality, compared to architectural drawings, dozens of people living on Cavalry Road, Rebel Road, Crooked Mile, Panhandle Lane and other nearby streets contacted their respective town halls with concerns.

The bridge replacement, like that of many in the area, required a greater height and length to allow water flow conforming with modern engineering standards.

But neighbors weren’t happy. 

Some said chain-link fencing on abutments with a steep drop-off resemble a prison yard. Galvanized guide rails were compared to Interstate 95. 

There also were concerns about sight lines, the length of the guide rails and landscaping not yet finished.

Weston set up Monday’s meeting, which was attended by officials from both towns, as well the bridge’s designers and a representative from the state Department of Transportation. 

Alternatives sought to chain-link fencing, galvanized railings

Comments during the two-hour meeting ranged from critical to constructive on subjects ranging from a bridge inspector’s dog’s poop to more substantial matters.

But the central issue for neighbors in both towns seemed to be their view that new bridge is out of character with the bucolic neighborhood.

Many would like to see wooden guide rails instead of galvanized steel, and anything but shiny chain-link fencing around the abutments. 

Samantha Yanks, of Rebel Road in Westport, said that when she moved in a few years ago, the bridge appeared non-existent.

“Now, it looks like I-95,” she said. 

“What this looks like is not appropriate for this neighborhood,” Yanks said. “Everyone here is looking for some sort of an answer … what is it that can be done to improve upon a situation that both your town, as Weston, and our town, as Westport, or our towns together because we’re a community, what can we do to not devalue our neighborhood?”

Brian Stern, a member of the Westport Board of Finance, spoke as a resident of Panhandle Lane.

“We need to see a proposal that changes the aesthetics, particularly of the guard rail, consistent with the environment we live in,” he said. “Because this construction project, whether one wants to deny it or not, has changed the area.”

He inquired about the cost of changes, and if the federal government, or local governments, would have to foot the expense.

Some speakers asked why the span couldn’t have wooden guide rails, as used on the Merritt Parkway and one of Westport’s newly reconstructed bridges on Kings Highway North near Main Street.

Keith Wilberg, an engineer for the Westport Department of Public Works, noted that the Kings Highway bridge was built with state funding, which allowed more flexibility in design and spending than a federally funded project.

There also was discussion of painting the guide rails, or replacing them with wood. And others wondered what to do with the chain-link fencing.

“There is public safety, and beautification issues, that really need to be addressed,” said Weston First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor. “Our teams are on it, and we will be getting back to you.”

Thane Grauel, the Westport Journal executive editor, grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond more than three decades. Learn more about us here.