The bridge at the intersection of Nutting Road and Letourneau Drive in Jaffrey is anticipated to be closed from July 5 through the remainder of the summer and into the fall for repairs and replacement of the bridge deck.
The expectation is for the bridge to have both lanes closed for the entirety of the repair, according to Jaffrey Superintendent of Highways and Facilities Todd Croteau. Nutting Road will remain open to local traffic only that does not cross the bridge.
“Closing Nutting Road to traffic over the bridge will be necessary to complete this project in a manner that is least disruptive to the neighborhood and the town,” Town Manager Jon Frederick stated in an announcement of the closure on the town’s website.
Repairs include replacing the decking of the bridge, with a cast-in-place concrete deck replacement and the replacement of the southwest, upstream wingwall. Masonry on the stone arch bridge will be restored as part of the project.
The work also includes the reconstruction and realignment of approximately 275 feet of roadway and incidental work, although work will not impact the driveways of the nearest neighbors.
Nutting Road will remain available from either end at Route 202 and Route 137/North Street. Letourneau Drive will be cut off from the Route 137 side, but accessible via the Route 202 entrance.
Croteau said the bridge will reopen at the conclusion of repairs, with the current estimate for reopening being in November.
The bridge is on the state’s red list, which catalogs bridges requiring additional inspections due to their state of repair. The bridge, which spans the portion of the Contoocook River that feeds into Cheshire Pond, is currently open to traffic, but does have weight restrictions.
The town will be receiving state bridge aid funding to help cover the cost of the bridge repair, with the State Bridge Aid Fund providing 80 percent of the total $1.625 million cost. Daniels Construction, based in Vermont, has been selected to complete the work.
The remainder of the cost will be paid for out of Jaffrey’s bridge capital reserve fund.
Croteau said the bridge is historic, and one of the few stone arch bridges left in the state.
“It’s both a preservation and improvement project,” he said.
An informational meeting about the project will be held at the Jaffrey Fire Station on Thursday, June 1, at 7 p.m. Residents with any additional questions may contact the Town Office at 603-532-7880.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.