SALISBURY — The Gerrish Road bridge rehabilitation project has begun, with contractors seeking to complete the project before harsh winter weather rolls in.
The project officially kicked off Oct. 7 and Gerrish Road will remain closed until the project is finished.
Gerrish Road is off Route 1 near the Animal Health Center of Salisbury. The bridge was constructed in 1850 and the work, which includes the culvert, will realign the granite blocks beneath the structure, according to the project’s notice of intent.
“What the Gerrish Road bridge is, it’s basically a giant culvert that’s separated in two spots,” said town Public Works Director Jamie Tuccolo. “There’s Inlet 1 and Inlet 2, and all of it is granite. Some of those granite blocks have shifted over time and have become a concern … .”
Tuccolo added that workers will divert the culvert’s water flow.
“Once the water has been drained, they’re going to come in from the top and realign the structure, realign the granite, all of the blocks,” he said. “Everything’s getting put back straight. And then once that’s completed, it gets sealed up and then they do the same thing on the other side.”
The town is working with contractor T Ford Company to complete the project, which will take about 50 days – with weather potentially influencing the timeline.
“That’s the plan,” Tuccolo said. “We all know how New England winters go. So, this is all weather dependent right now.”
The project is funded by the state’s Municipal Small Bridge Program. The town received $500,000 in grant money.
Selectman Michael Colburn said he is happy to see construction begin on the historic structure.
“I think it’s really important as it’s one of the oldest bridges in America, an old granite bridge. And, the Town of Salisbury, the way we did it, we were able to take it apart and put the pieces together. So, I’m glad that we were able to find a way to save the history of the bridge but also make it safe for pedestrians to travel.”
Tuccolo said once the project is done, it will complete a yearslong effort by the town to rehabilitate the bridge and culvert.
“It’s a great project that we’re getting done,” he said. “It was on the plate prior to me starting here in 2023. So, I’m glad we got it to where it is now, all under the grant, working with the state. Once it’s completed, it’s just a big project that’s going to be off the plate of all.”