by Jeff Smith
Uh. Oh: TheHour.com
Suit challenges Walk Bridge plan in federal court
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“The wrongful, inadequate NEPA analyses performed by the Defendants in selecting a bridge design failed to consider the reasonable alternative of a fixed bridge at the level of the existing bridge … which would promote resiliency, shorten construction time, significantly reduce construction costs, and otherwise reduce environmental impacts,” reads the lawsuit. “As such, the FONSI and ROD which rely on these inadequate analyses are invalid.”
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Mayor Harry Rilling said he would look into the lawsuit, but expressed doubt that a fixed bridge is a reasonable alternative given costs, construction length and the age of the existing Walk Bridge.
“They (the DOT) did, as far as I know, weigh the alternatives of a fixed bridge and found it would not reduce time,” Rilling said. “It might take longer and it probably wouldn’t save as much money as people are saying it would. And they can’t leave that bridge in place and just close it. It’s a 124-year old structure that’s on pilings.”
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“What we favor, and what is clearly in the public interest, is for the state to fully consider an existing height fixed bridge option, which costs less, is less disruptive, is less vulnerable to severe weather and future failures to close, and is more practical in every way,” said Penna.
Penna is co-owner of A.J. Penna & Son Excavating Contractors, which was forced by the DOT last year to leave its property on Goldstein Place to create staging space for the bridge replacement. The DOT helped the business find a new home at the old National Guard Armory on New Canaan Avenue.
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Next stop, Willoughby
~el Jefe :: RAILROAD.NET Site Administrator/Co-Owner; Carman at Naugatuck Railroad
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~el Jefe :: RAILROAD.NET Site Administrator/Co-Owner; Carman at Naugatuck Railroad
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