GREENWICH, CT — Greenwich officially celebrated the completion of Wesskum Wood Road Bridge in Binney Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday.
Originally built in 1950, the bridge suffered significant wear and tear over the years, necessitating a complete replacement.
Greenwich Department of Public Works Deputy Commissioner Jim Michel said Wednesday that his department oversees 84 bridges in town, and at least one needs to be replaced each year.
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The $1.67 million project incorporated several enhancements to improve safety, accessibility and aesthetics, Michel said.
An interior sidewalk now makes it safer for pedestrians to cross and gain access to the park. There are new decorative crosswalks in the area, a path connecting to the Binney Park trail, ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps and a widened roadway shoulder to better accommodate bicyclists.
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The previous bridge was very narrow, and Michel said bicyclists were hesitant to cross over.
Aside from the safety features, aesthetics were a main focus for the project, Michel said.
The natural stones with deep joints and flat capstones from the old bridge were incorporated into the new design to help keep with the charm of the Old Greenwich neighborhood and Binney Park.
New landscaping was also added in the area of the bridge.
“Hats off to DPW for doing a great job respecting the historical character of the neighborhood and preserving it, but also enhancing our infrastructure and connecting things, which is something we’ve put a lot of focus on the last several years — new sidewalks and connecting parks, and having people get out there and exercise and be active, but doing so in a safe way; we’re going to continue to do that,” said First Selectman Fred Camillo during Wednesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Work on the bridge replacement began on July 5, 2023, and the roadway was reopened as scheduled on July 1 of this year.
The town utilized the Accelerated Bridge Construction technique to reduce road closure time and inconvenience for residents.
According to DPW, 50 percent of the construction and inspection of the project was funded through the state of Connecticut Local Bridge Program grant.
State Rep. Rachel Khanna (D-149) spoke briefly Wednesday on the importance of the bridge.
“This bridge isn’t just functional, it’s a model of safety and accessibility, and it’s designed for everyone to enjoy, whether you’re biking, walking or simply taking in this beautiful view. Projects like this show what we can achieve when the state and town work together,” she said, thanking those involved for completing the project. “Together, you’ve shown that a bridge can be more than a way across. It can connect us to a stronger, safer and more inclusive community.”
Construction plans were designed by Stantec out of New Haven, and A. Vitti of Stamford was the primary contractor for the project.
Project Manager and Chief Engineer for the town of Greenwich Gabriella Circosta Cohee thanked her colleagues in DPW, legislators, and construction crews for their work.
“We’re proud to present this beautiful bridge to the Town of Greenwich,” Circosta Cohee said.
She then cut a ceremonial ribbon with the bridge in the background.
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