Mosquito Bridge (v of 2015)

Mosquito Bridge Replacement

Reported by Bob Vogler: As part of its 10-year plan, the NH Department of Transportation (NHDOT) proposes to replace Mosquito Bridge, the landmark bridge at the inlet to Lake Waukewan. On October 27, 2015 a public meeting was held at the New Hampton Public Safety Building to discuss the plans for bridge and for NHDOT to obtain public input. The meeting lasted 2-1/2 hours and over 100 people attended. The meeting was chaired by Neal Irvine with the New Hampton Selectboard and Harry Viens of the Center Harbor Selectboard at the head table.
NHDOT outline a $1 million replacement project with 80% federal funding. Residents from New Hampton and Center Harbor and others all spoke about retaining the current dimensions and just repairing the 13 ft. concrete decking span that is 21 ft. wide rail-to-rail. The span was installed in 1928 and has started to crumble with exposed rebar.
Bob Landry, NHDOT, with the help of two other staff members gave a slide presentation of their findings. The bridge is on the state's Red List and is evaluated twice yearly. It could be closed or posted at any time if an inspection shows further deterioration.

In addition to the concrete span NHDOT believes that the stone abutments need repair. According to federal standards the current guard rails are insufficient. Waukewan Road is now a Tier 4 state road and has a low priority for other improvements.de
The options are 1) Do nothing, 2) Repair the current bridge with dimensional changes to meet federal standards or 3) Replace the bridge. NHDOT suggested that repairing the bridge deck was impractical. The replacement discussed was to not change the road pattern in any way, but to just widen the bridge to meet federal standards having two 11 ft. lanes with a 4 ft. shoulder. If approved, the plan would be to do the work in the 2021 timeframe.
The participants recurrently voiced several themes that were echoed by emails and letters read into the record. “Don't change the bridge. We want to keep the rural charm of the community.” “The narrow bridge even with people fishing on it poses no safety issue because vehicles naturally slow down to cross it.” “Widening the bridge will encourage higher speeds and larger vehicles to use Waukewan Road.”

Many questioned the need for federal standards to be applied to the bridge work that will require widening of the road. “Don't use federal money.” “How much could be accomplished using only the State funds, say $200,000?” Others suggested fundraising to repair the bridge. The state had no estimate of the cost of only repairing the deck.
A petition with 250 signatures supporting repairs of limited scope was submitted to the New Hampton and Center Harbor Selectboards. Bob Landry heard the strong opinions to not change the dimensional configuration. He will bring that back to his superiors. NHDOT will estimate the cost of the repairing just bridge deck for the next public presentation.