It took almost four years, but town residents received a Christmas present when the Griffin Road bridge finally re-opened on Dec. 21. It was February 2018 when the State of Connecticut deemed that bridge to be unsafe for travel and it was closed immediately. It was determined that five other bridges also needed repair, but the Griffin Road bridge was given priority as the road would have to remain completely closed until the repairs were completed.
At the Dec. 21 bridge re-opening ceremony, Granby Public Works director Kirk Severance gave tribute to the late Town Manager John Ward, who was instrumental in getting the bridge bond through the local appropriations process, including the Board of Selectmen, the Bridge Building Committee, the Board of Finance and the Capital Program Advisory Committee (CPAC). Ward’s efforts resulted in getting the project funded with a 50/50 Matching Grant with the State of Connecticut in its State and Local Bridge Program.
Following all local and state guidelines, a building committee was created to secure construction and inspection services. WMC Consulting Engineers fulfilled the design and inspection services; Arborio Construction was the selected contractor. Both firms met the challenges of the project and got the job done under budget and under the unique circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A few minor items remain to be completed, but residents were happy to see the “closed” signs removed on the morning of Dec. 22—just in time for Christmas!