AMHERST — It took longer than anticipated, but a new bridge over Hop Brook means people who drive on Station Road to get to and from their homes can travel the length of the street for the first time since the span was closed last September.
At around 9 a.m. Tuesday, the Department of Public Works finished installing the temporary bridge, a $212,500 project approved by the Town Council over the winter that included demolishing the existing bridge, which a state inspection found to be structurally deficient, building the paved ramps, bringing in a crane to lift the bridge into place and installing guardrails.
With the new bridge comes a few changes to how people will use it, including yellow signs warning that the bridge can only accommodate one-way traffic and stop signs posted on either side of the bridge.
Though drivers have good sightlines in the approach on both sides, Town Manager Paul Bockelman said the stop signs will also assist people who walk and ride bicycles across the bridge, which is narrow and doesn’t have a dedicated multi-use path.
Bockelman said the temporary bridge should be suitable for however long it takes to get a permanent bridge installed. That will depend on getting onto the state’s small bridge program, in which $500,000 could be available. Combined, the two bridge projects are expected to cost nearly $1.37 million.
Peter Berek of Woodlot Road said the reopening makes travel to and from his home easier and he appreciates the support from the council, Bockelman and Guilford Mooring, the superintendent of the Department of Public Works, for all they did to provide a temporary bridge.
“The bridge seems fully satisfactory to serve for a long time to come, should that be best for the town,” Berek said.
Station Road is considered to be one of three main east-west routes between Amherst and Belchertown.
Martha Hanner of Alyssum Drive said it was a long 10 months with the bridge closure, especially for local businesses and delivery services.
Chris Blauvelt, a member of what has been known as the Temporary Bridge Committee, said the bridge project being complete means a lot for people who commute and local businesses such as Andrew’s Greenhouse, along with the South Congregational Church. People who live on Stanley Street will also likely see a drop in traffic.
“I am certain that neighborhood is very pleased to have fewer vehicles going down Stanley,” Blauvelt said.
Brianna Sunryd, communications manager for the town, said she saw unfiormly positive responses to social media posts announcing the bridge reopening.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.