The Town of Brattleboro is pleased to announce that construction work on the Elliot Street bridge crossing the Whetstone Brook was completed on schedule on Friday, August 26, 2016, and that this bridge has fully reopened for motor vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic.
A range of State of Vermont, Town of Brattleboro, and private personnel were vital to the successful and timely completion of this project. The leadership of Vermont Secretary of Transportation Chris Cole is particularly noteworthy, as is his Agency’s innovative program that gives priority to expedited bridge deck replacements projects. Also instrumental were the efforts of Vermont Agency of Transportation Project Manager Jennifer Fitch, who spent significant time and effort managing and overseeing the planning and implementation of this project from her home office in Montpelier, VTrans resident engineer Chad Greenwood, and local VTrans District 2 staff.
Various Town of Brattleboro staff members actively participated in this project. Steve Barrett and Hannah O’Connell from the Department of Public Works were the Town’s project representatives and conducted daily site visits. Other DPW employees upgraded surrounding water and sewer lines, and installed and maintained signage for the project. Regional utility companies also cooperated by expediting relocation of power and communications lines, an effort that was coordinated locally by Joe Newton of the Brattleboro Fire Department.
The construction work of the contractor, Renaud Brothers, must be praised. Renaud Brothers and their personnel did fast and excellent work, ensuring that the Elliot Street Bridge was only closed as long as necessary, beginning on June 27, 2016, with the work needed to repair the bridge being completed on schedule, within 2 months, on August 26, before schools reopened on Tuesday, August 30.
In November 2014, a hole developed in the deck of the Elliot Street bridge, which originally was constructed in 1946. Following State and local inspections, it was determined that significant work would be needed on the bridge. As the Town was beginning efforts to marshal the funds necessary to undertake this important project, which was needed to ensure safe passage of traffic through Brattleboro and over the Whetstone Brook, the Vermont Agency of Transportation stepped forward and committed to funding 97.5% of the project. As a result, the investment by the State of Vermont in the cost of this vital infrastructure work was $512,893, and the Town’s local match was $13,151.
According to David Gartenstein, Brattleboro Selectboard Chair: “The progress and completion of the Elliot Street bridge deck replacement project shows how important it is to maintain solid working relationships between the Town of Brattleboro and the State of Vermont. Brattleboro faces significant infrastructure needs as we continue our work to support and serve as the engine for Southern Vermont’s regional economy. We thank our partners at the Agency of Transportation for their hard work and efforts in making this project a success.”
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100
Excellent bridge
Drove over it yesterday. Might be one of Brattleboro’s nicest new bridges. You can see the effort to make it both solid and match the look and feel of the older bridge and neighborhood.
I almost paused to let other traffic go, recalling the single lane we had for a while, but then it dawned on me that open meant both lanes.
Jennifer Fitch deserves regular raises and anything else she wants. Excellent project coordinator from start to finish, which in construction terms was a very short period of time her with this bridge.
We even protected bats while rebuilding. Nice!
Stop in the businesses down by the bridge – they had a bit of a lull when traffic slowed.
Great Job
Kudos to all who were involved in this project. My travels took me by the area several times a week, and I was very impressed with the contractor and all who worked on this bridge.