Construction Begins for Burke Bridge

Details: Created on Wednesday, 16 September 2015 17:03; Written by Tim Laroche

Burke – Residents of West Burke may encounter a hiccup during their daily commutes over the next month. After years of harsh weather and the resulting deterioration, the bridge connecting Burke Hollow Road to Route 5 in West Burke is undergoing construction.

Burke Selectman Sam Sanderson says the repairs are necessary, and many residents in the town had discussed the need for repairs throughout the past.

"Over the years, the guardrails have gotten in worse shape," Sanderson said. "If you've been over it lately, you've noticed there's what we call 'jersey barriers,' in there that are narrowing the bridge because it wasn't safe way on the right-hand side. It's just age and accumulated wear."

The repairs were paid for, in part, by a fund consisting of money that the town allocates for road and bridge improvements, Sanderson said. The town uses this fund to complete one project each year to improve the roadways, he said.

However, for the most recent bridge replacement, Sanderson says, the town has also received a Town Highway Structures grant earlier in the year from the Vermont Agency of Transportation to pay for a portion of the cost.

The problems that are at the root of the disrepair of some of the town bridges, Sanderson says, stem from the age of a number of the bridges. Although, Sanderson said, he doesn't know the exact date that the bridge was built, he says that many of the bridges in town are old, and the bridge near the fire station is not likely an exception.

"A lot of these bridges date from the 1920's and 30's," Sanderson said. "So they are not designed for the type of traffic we have today. They should be better, should be wider, should be longer."

And the fire station bridge is not the only hub of transit in Burke in need of repair, Sanderson says. Seven other bridges in the town, he says, are also in need of repair, and one of them requires a full replacement.

"There's one other bridge we've got to do work on the abutments – that's underneath it," Sanderson said.

One such bridge, at Hayden's Crossing Rd., off of Rte. 5, has been in need of repairs for a number of years. Sanderson says the state is currently in the process of surveying the bridge to make the necessary repairs.

A number of environmental factors – such as freezing and thawing and the use of road salt on the cement surface of the bridges during the winter – can cause the bridges and roadways to deteriorate over time. And so, keeping the roads functional requires frequent upkeep, Sanderson says.

"There's always something," Sanderson said.

The bridge is expected to re-open October 15. In the meantime, drivers can expect detours near the town clerk's office on School St. going towards Rte. 5a and onto Burke Hollow Rd.