Construction on Manchester Street Bridge between Nashua, Merrimack to begin in 2014, officials say

NASHUA – A bridge over Pennichuck Brook linking Nashua and Merrimack is on its way to replacement after more than a decade’s worth of waiting by the city. On Wednesday, the aldermen’s Finance Committee voted unanimously to allow the city to put $13,800 toward a contract amendment for a study and design contract to replace Manchester Street Bridge. Construction is expected to begin next year. The replacement of Manchester Street Bridge – which is roughly five strides long, according to Alderman-at-Large David Deane – has been on the city’s agenda for 13 years or more, he said Wednesday, according to minutes. “Is this bridge actually ever going to get built?” Deane said. Some of the hold up has been caused by funding concerns on Merrimack’s end, Mayor Donnalee Lozeau said. The state’s Division of Historic Resources also required alternative design analyses and drafts in order to expose the bridge’s granite blocks. Lozeau said the project has been in the works since she took office in 2008. “There’s been movement; it just takes forever,” Lozeau told the Board of Public Works last week. A concept design and study for the Manchester Street Bridge replacement was first conducted in 2003 with a $135,600 contract to Manchester-based CLD Consulting Engineers. Alternative designs, environmental requirements, and study and design services required by Historic Resources brought the current contract to $238,000. The latest $13,826 amendment, approved by aldermen Wednesday, addresses environmental items including a state wetlands permit and the city conservation commission’s wetlands application for the bridge. The city also will need to work with Pennichuck Water Works to deal with impacts to their equipment in the Pennichuck Brook reservoir. The project will be managed at the municipal level with 80 percent of the funds coming from the state Department of Transportation and the remaining 20 percent coming from the municipal level – split 15/5 between Nashua and Merrimack, respectively. The amendment brings the new contract value to $251,800. “This should be the last piece of it,” Lozeau told the Board of Public Works last week. The new Merrimack Street Bridge will include a sidewalk, a wider design, a safer cross slope and improved drainage over the reservoir. Maryalice Gill can be reached at 594-6490 or mgill@nashua telegraph.com. Also, follow Gill on Twitter (@Telegraph_MAG).