New bridge spans Goat Brook

#MiddleburyCT #Greenway #Bridge #GoatBrook

Middlebury’s new Greenway pedestrian bridge spans Goat Brook as it flows from Fenn Pond. This bridge replaces the one washed out by flood waters in August 2024. (Marjorie Needham photo)

By MARJORIE NEEDHAM

Southbury resident Meredith Ferreira and her 20-month-old son, Daniel, are among those who are enjoying the new Greenway bridge. She had just wheeled Daniel across the bridge in his stroller when we asked her what she thought of it. She said she thought it looked nice, and it was much safer on the Greenway with the new bridge in place. She said when she comes to Middlebury to visit her mom, Christina Mueller, a Ridgewood resident, she often parks at Pies & Pub and walks from there to Chase Road and back. During the time the bridge was washed out she said she had to detour out onto the heavily traveled road. “It was really dangerous with a stroller,” she said.

First Selectman Edward B. St. John said, “I hope Mother Nature treats us well going forward and doesn’t take out this bridge.” He estimated the old bridge was at least 25 years old based on completion of the Greenway in around 2000.

He said the delay in replacing the old bridge was caused by the need to explore the option of building a new bridge that met FEMA’s 2024 resiliency requirements. They would have required building a bridge that could withstand a 1,000-year flood. “That turned out to be way too expensive with no guarantee FEMA would reimburse the town,” he said. He also noted FEMA’s future seems uncertain at this time.

St. John said the Middlebury Department of Public works rebuilt the bridge with some additions. They also installed new concrete abutments on the side where the abutment was washed out in 2024. “We do as much as we can ourselves,” he said.

He said he didn’t yet know the total cost of the new bridge, but FEMA funding was approved at the May 5, 2025, referendum. He said he hopes FEMA will reimburse 75% of the cost, leaving the town responsible for just 25%.

Town engineer John Calabrese said the amount of rain the August 2024 storm brought was the biggest factor in the old bridge’s damage. “Look what it washed out,” he said, referring to it washing out whole sections of Greenway pavement and causing extensive damage throughout the town. He said the new bridge was built a little stronger with extra supports and connections to the abutments.