"We felt it was a safety issue, so we're removing the concrete wall and
building a curb and a traditional steel railing," he said.
The project will cost VTrans $68,500 and will be completed by June 11,
according to Zicconi. The bridge is the one close to Maynard's Snack
Bar, just north of the intersection of Routes 100 and 100B.
VTrans identified the bridge in Waitsfield because of a leaking joint
that they plan to remove. The bridge expansion joint is problematic,
according to Zicconi, because the joint is not keeping the water back as
well as it should.
"Water is the enemy of bridges; it makes thing corrode and decays the
bridge. We're removing the joint and using rebar and more concrete to
make the deck longer and stop the joint from leaking; the bridge can
still expand and contract," Zicconi added.
According to Zicconi, the leaking joint doesn't allow the bridge to
expand and contract as much as it was designed to do. The joint between
the two bridge abutments will be removed, allowing plenty of play, and
protect the bridge from leaking.
The project will cost VTrans $62,500 and also will be completed by June
11. Zicconi said both bridge projects are the result of safety concerns
and a part of normal maintenance to prevent larger issues in the future.
"We like to spend a little money now rather than a lot of money later,"
Zicconi said.
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