A temporary emergency bridge was installed on Brook Road in Scotland Monday to reconnect six families whose homes have been cut off since storms destroyed the bridges that were there before, according to the first selectman.
Torrential rain last week led to bridges being washed out and destroyed and six homes were cut off.
The temporary ramp will only be open a few hours a day and will be monitored while it is open, according to First Selectman Gary Greenberg.
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He said DOT inspectors are concerned that there could be continued erosion under the ramp, so as a safety measure, they will limit usage of the ramp.
The town is working with the DOT to come up with a plan for a long-term temporary bridge.
I’ve lived here more than 40 years. I’ve never seen the brook come over the bridge.
-Gary Greenberg, D - Scotland First Selectman
The ramps alone are costing the town $3,500 a day and the temporary bridge installation will cost more than $200,000.
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The first selectman expects temporary repairs for the three washed out bridges to cost upwards of $1 million.
“The plan moving forward is to get on my knees and beg. I mean, every time I talk to a state senator or the governor’s office or anybody, that’s what I’m saying. We are going to need $1 million. A million dollars is a lot of money for us," Greenberg said.
The first selectman hopes the emergency bridge on Brook Road will be open to traffic tomorrow, but he is working with the state Department of Transportation to develop safety guidelines and to make sure they have someone monitoring traffic.
Cars will only be able to pass through the emergency bridge when someone is on site monitoring for safety.
