The Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded Fitchburg a grant of $500,000 to make emergency repairs to the archway of the Westminster Hill Road bridge over Phillips Brook.
Emergency vehicles and school buses from Devens frequently traverse this bridge, and their operators should be satisfied that it will become safer to use it when work is complete.
The funding comes from the Municipal Small Bridge Program of the Department and will go towards the costs for designing and constructing the bridge. It was built in the 1850s and is 18 feet long. Due to its age, there are cracked stones in its breast walls and archways, so that the arch itself is deformed. The Small Bridge Program helps towns and cities to preserve and replace bridges that are between 10 feet and 20 feet long.
Nicolas Bosonetto, Commissioner of Public Works, said that repairing the bridge is critical as it enables easy access to over 200 homes in the area for emergency vehicles. Such departments can turn to printing services to inform the community of planned projects and their benefits.
The cost of the project is estimated to be $515,000. Money from the state DOT Chapter 90 funds will account for the additional $15,000. These funds can be used for capital improvements including preservation, highway construction, and improvements.
The project is expected to be completed in October of next year.
