Saugatuck Bridge Saga: Selectman Corrects Info; DOT Says Restoration of Current Bridge Remains “One Potential Solution”
The Saugatuck River Bridge, or Cribari Memorial Bridge, opening for boat traffic on July 5th 2020. Photo by Jaime Bairaktaris. Press Release 02/16/21First Selectman Jim Marpe has issued a correction to the February 8, 2021 press release at the request of Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) Deputy Commissioner Mark Rolfe. Upon subsequent communications on February 9, Deputy Commissioner Rolfe indicated that the DOT has not reached any final decision on the five alternatives for the Cribari Bridge under consideration. He further indicated that the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) will not be released mid-March, but rather is, at best, a few months away from being released.
The February 8, 2021 press release stated that “DOT is completing the Environmental Assessment (EA) of Bridge No. 01349, a/k/a William F. Cribari Memorial Bridge (Cribari Bridge) and will release its report in mid-March.” It also indicated that the EA’s conclusion and the DOT’s recommendation is to replace the bridge with a new on-alignment structure which meets Federal Highway Administration standards, rather than preserve the existing structure.
Deputy Commissioner Rolfe stated that, “To be clear, the EA for the Cribari Bridge is not complete, nor have any final decisions been made with regard to the recommended alternative. The DOT seeks to continue the dialogue with stakeholders regarding this project. One potential solution is for the DOT to restore the existing bridge to a state of good repair and then transfer ownership of the bridge and a segment of Route 136 to the Town of Westport.”
The Selectman’s Office will continue to make public announcements regarding the Cribari Bridge EA and any subsequent DOT recommendations for the bridge. Mr. Marpe added that any DOT recommendation will be subject to further review and approval.
UPDATE: Westport Police Civilian Review Board on Agenda at Public Safety Meeting POSTPONED to March 1.
This meeting was postponed to March 1. No explanation was given regarding the sudden postponement of the meeting.
A discussion on a police civilian review board will take place tonight on Zoom at 7:00 PM. The meeting will be held by the RTM Public Protection committee, and will discuss the proposal made by Westporter Jason Stiber to counter First Selectman Jim Marpe’s plan of a similar panel.
Agenda:
To discuss and vote to recommend to the full RTM on the following: A proposed ordinance by Jason Stiber to create a Civilian Review Board as oversight for the Westport Police Department. The purpose of such a board would be to investigate citizen complaints against members of the Westport Police Department. To also participate in hiring decisions for officers of the WPD, and to receive and make recommendations for service awards for officers of the WPD.