What About The Silver Bridge?

To the Editor:

Last week’s front page article concerning the bridges in Connecticut raised the question we have had relative to the landmark, once “Silver (now rusty) Bridge.”

We use this bridge several times a day and are concerned primarily for its structural integrity (as the rusted condition shows neglect), and for its unsightly appearance.

We have attempted to find out what plans our government has for the maintenance of this bridge. After numerous telephone calls, we finally found the responsible state department for maintenance of Connecticut bridges. We called repeatedly, left messages, identified who we were, and voiced our concerns for the “Silver Bridge.” No response was forthcoming. After a month of trying, we stopped calling.

Your article rekindled our concern. Perhaps mightier powers, like The Bee, could elicit a response. With conditions currently a topic of national concern, you may get an answer.

Sincerely,

Lynn and Bob Morrison

80 Edgelake Drive, Sandy Hook                                 August 14, 2007

(Editor’s note: As part of our reporting for the bridge article published August 10, state Department of Transportation officials stated that no bridges in Newtown are unsafe, otherwise they would be closed. The state DOT has rated the condition of all bridges in the state on a scale of 1 to 9, with 9 being the condition of a new bridge. The Silver Bridge was given three ratings — one each for its superstructure (4), deck (7), and substructure (7).  The seven ratings are good. The four rating is poor, and according to DOT officials, puts the bridge in line for funding and scheduling for repair. The DOT, however, did not say the repair of the Silver Bridge had been either funded or scheduled.)