State Sen. Jake Oliveira stands with Wilbraham Select Board member Michael Squindo and Chair Susan Bunnell, Ludlow Select Board member William Rosenblum and state Rep. Angelo Puppolo’s legislative aide, Cheryl Spinks, on the bridge connecting the towns over the Connecticut River.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
WILBRAHAM — On Wilbraham’s side, it is known as Cottage Avenue, while Ludlow calls the same roadway Miller Street. Whatever name it goes by, the bridge that spans the Connecticut River and connects the two towns received a boost on May 16 as state Sen. Jake Oliveira (D-Ludlow) presented a $200,000 earmark for the bridge on behalf of himself and state Reps. Aaron Saunders (D-Belchertown) and Angelo Puppolo (D-Springfield).
Oliveira gathered at the bridge with members of the Ludlow and Wilbraham select boards and Puppolo’s legislative aid, Cheryl Spinks, to present the funding. The legislator said the 1930s-era bridge, like many others of its age in Western Massachusetts, needs work. He spoke of the bridge’s importance as a link between the towns and the fastest way for Ludlow residents to reach Wing Hospital in an emergency.
“It’s not a small amount of money,” said Wilbraham Town Manager Nick Breault. “We’re very happy.”
Ludlow Select Board member William Rosenblum shared the sentiment. “It is much needed. We’re very happy and very grateful,” he said.
Wilbraham DPW Director Tonya Capparello said, “We’ve done significant preventative maintenance” to the bridge. Additionally, she said emergency repairs are done as needed, which is what the $200,000 in funds will be put toward. “We’ve gotten it inspected. It is safe.”
The surface layers of the bridge deck have been wearing away and a preliminary study to determine the best material to use on the driving surface is underway. Capparello explained that bridges have a maximum weight and if a heavy material is used to repair the bridge deck, the weight capacity for vehicles may need to be reduced, resulting in some trucks not being able to use the bridge. The solution will require a balance of weight and durability.
