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The
Martha's Vineyard Times is a weekly publication.
May 26 - June 1, 2005 Edition
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Road bridge plans advance The Martha's Vineyard Times May 26, 2005 By Ezra Blair The Oak Bluffs selectmen expressed support for the latest plans to replace what are generally called the big and little bridges on Beach Road between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown, at their regular meeting Tuesday evening. Steve Berlucchi, county engineer, presented MassHighway’s plans, which are 75 percent complete, to the board of selectmen. There are few changes in the plans since the last time the selectmen reviewed them, back in December, when they voted to support the projects. The plans for the big bridge, still a four-span structure made from pre-cast concrete beams, include wooden platforms and outer railings. The design also includes an eight-foot bicycle path separated from the road by a one-foot concrete curb and one-foot metal railing. A six-inch curb would separate the bicycle path from the pedestrian walkway. Under the new plans, the big bridge would also get an additional fishing platform on each side of the bridge that would extend seven and a half feet out and would run along one of the four spans – approximately 65 feet. The replacement for the little bridge would remain a single span, like the original design, but instead of just a single path on the west side, it would include separate paths for bicycles and pedestrians. A five-foot walkway on the east side is also included in the design. Both bridges must be raised two feet to meet state requirements for a 50-year storm. The increased heights would require re-grading the roadway approaches. Mr. Berlucchi said that increasing the height of the road would require new state-approved barriers between the bike path and the roadway leading up to the bridge. The selectmen said they would like the state to use granite curbing. The selectmen took no official action on the plans, but thanked Mr. Berlucchi for working closely with both the state and the town, and for addressing the board’s earlier concerns. In other business, the selectmen voted to support the Island Housing Trust’s (IHT) proposed affordable housing project at the corner of Barnes Road and Edgartown–Vineyard Haven Road, just past the blinker light. Phillipe Jordi, IHT executive director, said that under the project, the existing house on the site, which was once the Twin Oaks restaurant, will be renovated into a three-bedroom affordable housing unit. In addition, two more houses — one a three-bedroom dwelling, the other a two-bedroom — will be saved from demolition and moved from their current locations to the site. Like the existing house on the site, the other two homes will be ground-leased as affordable housing units. The selectmen voted unanimously to write a letter in support of the project. “This looks great. It looks like a great project,” said Greg Coogan, chairman of the Oak Bluffs selectmen. One item of discussion at Tuesday’s meeting was particularly timely. As wind and rain battered the Island, and with the unofficial start of summer only days away, the selectmen addressed traffic on East Chop Drive, which in places runs precariously close to the eroding bluff. Following recommendations by state and federal officials, the town has not allowed tour busses to drive along East Chop Drive for many years. The fear was that the heavy vehicles would damage the steep bluff that has been battered by strong storms, much like the one that battered the Island this week. However, a sign indicating that busses are prohibited from the scenic roadway is missing, and numerous residents in the neighborhood have complained that busses are once again driving on the road. The selectmen said they would discuss the matter with town counsel to see what restrictions they can place on the road. In addition to tour busses, the selectmen said they would consider banning heavy construction vehicles and garbage trucks from using the most sensitive areas of the road along the bluff. Richard Combra, Jr., Oak Bluffs highway superintendent, said that garbage trucks and construction vehicles could access all of the houses along East Chop Drive from alternate routes. Taking up a number of requests, the selectmen granted a new business license for a car service and concierge business and referred a license request for a new car rental business to the Martha’s Vineyard Commission. |
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