Town of Vernon Provides Update on Dart Hill Road Bridge Replacement Project
As of the close of business on Monday, Nov. 28, Eversource Energy completed its work installing a gas main on the Dart Hill Road bridge.
Completion of the gas main installation has allowed the Town’s project contractor, New England Road, Inc., to move into the home stretch and complete the work necessary to safely reopen the bridge and lift the detour that residents have endured since May. Weather permitting, the bridge is now projected to open by Dec. 16.
Eversource officials had pledged to dedicate additional resources and to work longer days and on weekends in order to safely accelerate gas main installation work and to complete safe installation of the new gas main.
The utility, however, fell short of Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne’s and the Town’s expectations.
Remaining work on the bridge includes pouring and curing the concrete approaches to the bridge, installing a waterproof membrane over the concrete, paving the approaches and roadway over the bridge, and then road painting and installation of signs.
“Like many Vernon residents, I am extremely frustrated by the utility company delays that have extended this cumbersome detour beyond our projected completion date,” Mayor Champagne said. “We planned this project for one construction season because we knew the detour would be inconvenient. We do look forward to the opening of a new and modern bridge that will serve our community for decades.”
Following discussions with Town officials, Eversource offered to compensate the Town for some delay-related costs.