Burlington continues to wait for information in regards to the future of Cascade Bridge, which has been closed to vehicular traffic for several years.
The city was ready to start building a new roughly $4-million bridge months ago. The project was delayed, though, to allow for a new study to be done to determine if the roughly 120-year-old bridge could be repaired or if replacement is required.
The recommendation for the new study came from the State Historic Preservation Office and was supported by several local preservation groups.
City Manager Jim Ferneau says Burlington has received proposals from three firms that are interested in making that determination. He says the public works department will review the proposals and make a recommendation to the city council in the very near future.
Ferneau says Cascade Bridge will be discussed during the next city council workshop. He says an engineering firm could be selected before the end of the month.
The future of the bridge was not on the agenda for this week’s city council meeting, but that did not stop residents from bringing it up during the public comment period. They urged the city council to make sure the project remains on their radars.
Ferneau says the cost will play a key role in determining how to proceed with the bridge. He says there is a need to prioritize capital/infrastructure-related projects to get the best return.
