Forbes Bridge to close for repairs

NORTH CANAAN — Work is set to begin soon on the Samuel Forbes Bridge on Lower Road. The span over the Blackberry River is in need of repair, particularly to abutments and the deck.

The low bidder has been approved by the town’s consulting engineers. New England Infrastructure, Inc., of Hudson, Mass., will be awarded the job. The Board of Selectmen was happy to report the work will be done for an estimated $278,189, per the bid, as opposed to the originally estimated $338,000. Under the state bridge rehabilitation program, towns pay 20 percent of costs.

The current bridge was built in 1938, but history there goes back more than two centuries. When Samuel Forbes arrived in the early 1700s, ironmaking was already established as the industry along that stretch of the river. Forbes learned the business and eventually developed a highly successful one of his own, partnering with the likes of John Adam and Ethan Allen.

While a start date has not been established for the work, residents should be aware that the bridge will be closed for about 60 days during the deck repair.

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