Major Bridge Project Gets West Hartford Council OK

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A key bridge replacement project received town council approvals recently as members sent to the zoning board multiple easements to allow for that work to be done.

The West Hartford Town Council Aug. 16 voted 9-0 authorize the execution of three temporary and permanent easements that will pave the way for replacement of the Fern Street Bridge over Trout Brook.

Those actions, when finalized, will allow construction contractors access to three private property parcels near.

Town officials said the bridge project should start in March 2023 and finish in September 2024.
The bridge, which is located near Fernridge Park, is "at the end of its useful life," West Hartford Town Manager Rick Ledwith wrote to the council.

In order to replace the bridge, workers will have to access 580, 578 and 572 Fern Street, actions that require temporary impacts on those properties.

The easements agreements not only allow workers access to those sites, they commit the town to paying for any necessary improvements required once the work is done.

For example, the town is committed to spending about $30,000 for any "minor improvements" such as driveway replacements, fence replacement and tree planting/landscaping required on the Fern Street properties.

That component of the project has already been agreed to between the property owners and the town, Ledwith wrote.

The easements, Ledwith wrote, are also required to maintain the bridge once the project is done.

For the minutes of the West Hartford Town Council meeting Aug.16, click on this link.

To watch the Aug. 16 West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link.