Preston to seek federal, state funding to replace bridges
Feb. 18—PRESTON — The town hopes to take advantage of new federal infrastructure and jobs creation funding to replace bridges on Cookstown and Parks roads off Route 164, saving town taxpayers $5.6 million.
First Selectwoman Sandra Allyn-Gauthier issued a news release Friday announcing plans for the separate projects, with planning to be done this year and construction in 2025 or 2026. The two projects will be planned at the same time, Allyn-Gauthier said.
She cited the importance of receiving comments of concern from residents early in the planning process. She said it's too early to tell whether the bridges would have to be closed and detours put in place. Public information meetings will be held as the project plans progress. For information, contact Allyn-Gauthier at (860) 887-5581, ext. 1.
The projects include an estimated $2.9 million replacement of the Parks Road bridge over Broad Brook and an estimated $2.7 million replacement of the Cookstown Road bridge over an unnamed brook. Both projects are expected to be funded with 80% federal funding and 20% state bond funding through the state Department of Transportation, with no local match required.
"The replacement of these bridges enhances safety and provide substantial savings to our residents and taxpayers," Allyn-Gauthier said in an email Friday, "as these costs won't need to be part of repairs and maintenance or have to be included in our capital plan."
Both are narrow, local roads off Route 164, with Cookstown at the southern end of the state road, and Parks Road near the town's northern border with Griswold.
