Efforts Underway To Replace Two Amherst Bridges

Plans are in motion to replace two damaged bridges in Amherst with mostly state funding.

New Hampshire engineering firm Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc. presented Selectmen with part of their engineering study for the Manchester Road and Horace Greely Road bridges on Monday.

The best option for both bridges would be a prestressed concrete deck beam replacement, according to vice president Sean James, as the other methods would block waterflow on the water bodies below. Amherst’s zoning ordinance states that projects in zones prone to flooding must not increase flood levels.

The NHDOT Municipal Bridge Program provides an 80 percent reimbursement for eligible bridge projects in New Hampshire towns.

The Horace Greeley Road Bridge, which runs over Pulpit Brook, is on the NHDOT red list of bridges that are need of repairs and annual inspection to ensure safety. Two of the pipes beneath have roof damage on top of rust problems. A replacement would be eligible for the aid program in 2020 and cost an estimated $1,315,000 with inflation.

The Manchester Road Bridge, which runs over Beaver Brook, has been closed due to damage, with two pipes undermined beneath. This replacement would be eligible for state funding to cover part of the $1,050,000  cost (with inflation) in 2018.

Each bridge project would take about 4-6 months of construction to complete.

Some residents called for the town to explore repair options over simply replacing both bridges years from now.

DPW director Bruce Berry said any repairs would be temporarily help for 10-15 years, compared to the 75+ years of life for a replacement. The full cost would also have to be covered by Amherst taxpayers, which would cost $180-250,000.

The engineering firm’s study is just the first step in a long process to address the town’s bridge issues.

Amherst representatives have taken notice to the town’s need after the Manchester Road Bridge closed suddenly in December after NHDOT inspection. This came after the deadline for the representatives to propose legislation to address this closure, which forces drivers to use a lengthy detours.

Rep. Shannon Chandley said that they want to propose emergnecy legislation in order to get the bridge closure addressed as soon as possible.

“We have an emergency situation. We have a bridge that needs to be repaired and we are hoping there will be some option,” said Chandley.