Anyone attempting to drive down Grove Street has noticed the closure of Grove Street Bridge for the past couple of weeks.
As part of a two-bridge construction plan, the town of Peterborough has worked to rehabilitate Elm Street Bridge and Grove Street Bridge over the summer.
After construction finished on Elm Street, Grove Street Bridge was closed to traffic to start construction on June 22.
The project prepared for 15% to 20% deterioration on the bridge deck based on state inspections, town visual observations and engineering observations, according to Seth MacLean, public works director and assistant town administrator. After breaking ground, crews discovered 75% to 80% of the deck was deteriorated.
“Until we started taking the bridge apart, we didn’t realize the extent of deterioration,” MacLean said.
The discovery requires additional repairs to the deck, research into undocumented pipes or ducts and the installation of corrosion-control resources.
In response, the Select Board approved up to $300,000 in additional spending from the Bridges, Culverts and Dams Expendable Trust Fund at its meeting July 14.
That brings the maximum price for the project to $750,000. MacLean said he does not plan to use all the additional funding.
At first, MacLean said, there were worries the bridge would need to be replaced, but testing found the foundational concrete continues to be durable.
“This gives the town plenty of time to start planning for the replacement of the bridge. Probably about 15 years at this point,” MacLean said.
Because of the quick turnaround on Elm Street Bridge, construction on Grove Street started earlier, allowing the project to stay on schedule, according to MacLean.
The town plans to open the sidewalk as soon as possible in late summer, and construction should be completed by late September.
MacLean said the town built extra time into the contract with Cold River Bridges LLC, but the project remains on schedule.