The state bond commission approved allocation of $3 Million, Friday, for repairs on the railroad draw bridge in Norwalk.
The move comes after the bridge faltered twice in June, causing major disruptions for commuters who rely on the train tracks every day.
The state was forced to keep the bridge closed to water traffic, in effect, prioritizing the commuters above the water, on the train tracks.
But the funding for fixes means that at least 9 months from now, the bridge should be able to function as a “draw bridge” once more and allow boat traffic through the waterway more frequently.
Businesses like Devine Bros. Construction have said the impasses at the bridge will deeply affect their margins.
“They’d go through 2 or 3 barges a week – now they go through two a week,” said John Mitchell, a Norwalk regular.
Mitchell knows the area well. He cross under the bridge daily in his boat. But larger vessels like tall sailboats and big barges cannot fit underneath.
Mitchell says the businesses like Devine Bros. and local marinas will welcome the reopening of the bridge once the repairs are complete.
It’s all made possible by the state-funding.
“That is definitely a plan. It’s a short-term remedy, whether it’s a long-term remedy is yet to be determined,” said Mitchell.