Westport Preservation Group Urges First Selectman Marpe To Vote 'No' Saugatuck Bridge Project

WESTPORT, CT — The Westport Preservation Alliance, a local grassroots group dedicated to preserving the Saugatuck Bridge, is calling on First Selectman Jim Marpe to keep to his promise to vote against state funding for the renovation of the historic span.

The state wants to widen the bridge to allow tractor trailer trucks to drive over it, but the residents' group is fighting to keep the bridge, also known as the William F. Cribari Memorial Bridge, as-is.

A vote is scheduled for Aug. 17 on whether to include the bridge rehab project on a regional plan, which would move it forward, and Marpe reportedly said in the past that he would not support the measure. In a Westport News story over the weekend, Marpe appeared to open the door to changing his vote because final plans have not yet been submitted, which complicates that August vote.

The preservation group emailed residents Monday with a form letter to email to Marpe and the Board of Selectmen to vote against the project.

"We all know it's going to take courage to stand up for the bridge and to fight for our community," wrote the group in the email. "Simply stated, here’s what's at stake. A bigger bridge, whether “improved” or replaced, means 18-wheelers. Preserving the bridge, just as it is, means no 18-wheelers."

Click here read the full story on the Westport News website.

Photo: Saugatuck River Bridge. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons