Select Board Committed To Bridge Barriers Despite Latest Cost Estimate

Paul Hayes phayes@littletonrecord.com Staff Writer Jul 4, 2024 Updated Jul 5, 2024

 

 

 

LYNDON — Plans to protect the Millers Run Covered Bridge may cost more than originally planned.

Techno Metal Post of Montpelier has submitted a $17,660 price estimate to install foundations for crash barriers on either side of the Miller’s Run Covered Bridge.

In view of that, the Select Board on Monday expected the entire project to exceed the $30,000 set aside for it.

Despite the cost overrun, the five-member board remains committed to the project.

“Ultimately it’s what the people want,” said Selectman Dan Renaudette.

“I think people have made that pretty clear that they want it done,” agreed Selectwoman Sue Mills.

The steel barriers were conceived two and a half years ago to prevent vehicles that exceed the 11-foot-9 height limit from hitting the historic 145-year-old span.

The bridge has been struck repeatedly over the years, including at least four times in 2023.

Repairs typically cost $1,100 per incident.

However, construction of the barriers had been postponed indefinitely due to spiraling cost estimates and installation issues. Engineers in March solved a key design problem when they determined that, while the originally planned concrete footings were too large, slimmer “screw piles” could do the job.

Residents pressed town officials to follow through with the bridge barriers earlier this year.

During the Town Meeting information session, Lyndon resident Mark Beattie said, “It’s becoming increasingly embarrassing to read about this in the newspaper, particularly the tagline at the end [of articles] that says that ‘They’ve been studying this for years.’”

If built, the barriers would continue town efforts to protect the Miller’s Run Covered Bridge, also known as the Bradley Covered Bridge, which dates back to 1878.

The Select Board also increased fines for height and weight violations at Miller’s Run Covered Bridge to $5,000 (first offense), $10,000 (second offense), and $15,000 (third offense) in 2021.

The previous fine amounts had been $2,000/$3,500/$5,000.

Plans to add surveillance cameras to capture offenders’ license plates have also been considered.