WESTPORT – First Selectman Kevin Christie Thursday announced the formation of the Cribari Bridge Advisory Committee to support the town’s ongoing engagement with the state DOT on rehabilitating the historic swing bridge.
Christie made the announcement following last month’s Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) public hearing on the future of the bridge. The well-attended public hearing reflected strong community interest and underscored the complexity of the issues involved, Christie said. He believes traffic, safety, neighborhood impact, historic and neighborhood context, and long-term fiscal responsibility are all legitimate concerns that deserve to be evaluated carefully.
The DOT has identified a preferred option for the bridge, but no final decision has been made. The environmental review process remains open.
“The Advisory Committee will bring together technical expertise and community perspectives to help keep Westport’s input grounded in facts and reflective of community priorities,” Christie said. “It will evaluate options for the bridge, including structural and design considerations, in the context of community impact, funding implications, and long-term maintenance responsibilities.”
The Advisory Committee, which will make recommendations to the first selectman, will not replace the formal state process or make a final decision on the project. Its role is to support the town’s engagement with DOT by providing a structured forum for coordination, analysis, and public input.
“Westport has a real stake in this project for our neighborhoods, our infrastructure, and our fiscal future,” Christie said. “This Advisory Committee will build on the town’s discussions with the DOT by grounding decisions in facts, incorporating community input, and identifying solutions that work for Westport.”
A state Rehabilitation Studies Report (RSR) for the Cribari Bridge – listed on the National Register of Historic Places – was conducted to explore rehabilitation options. The completed RSR was presented to the public on June 15, 2016.
This bridge project was originally initiated because routine inspections identified the need for rehabilitation work, primarily to vehicular collision-damaged truss elements and corroded pile cross bracing. The more detailed investigations conducted as part of the RSR process have revealed substantially more structural deficiencies and significant highway functional deficiencies.
Residents are encouraged to participate directly in the formal state process. The public comment period on the DOT’s Environmental Assessment is open through April 17. Comments can be submitted online at the DOT comment portal, by email to James.Barrows@ct.gov, or by mail to ATTN: James Barrows, P.O. Box 317546, Newington CT 06131-7546. Reference Project No. 0158-0214.
