Menauhant Bridge & Beach Update
Peter McConarty’s Presentation Regarding Planned Construction Projects
By Dean Lundgren, President, Davisville Civic Association
On a beautiful sunny Davisville afternoon, Peter McConarty, Town of Falmouth, Director of Public Works, spoke as requested at the 69th Davisville Civic Association Annual Meeting on the planned construction projects for both the Menauhant Bridge and Beach.
He addressed the following topics:
Bournes Pond Inlet Widening
Bournes Pond New 90-Foot Span Bridge
New Groins at Menauhant Beach West
Menauhant Beach West Nourishment
Removal of Old Menauhant Bridge Remnants
Following his well-received presentation, he responded to questions on these topics and following the meeting on other questions which Association Members asked. Notes taken at his presentation follow.
Two projects have been combined into one, so that the selected vendor will be responsible for completion of both integrated construction on agreed upon time frame and budget.
Construction of the new Menauhant Bridge was approved in 2015 and is fully funded. Menauhant Beach West project funding is in place. All required signs offs are in place except for two, one of which is the Army Corps of Engineers, both of which sign offs are expected shortly. All permitting from Conservation groups is in place. It is anticipated that the combined project will be put out to bid in the April/May 2022 time frame, with vendor selection in place by June/July 2022.
Menauhant Road, between Menauhant Beach West and Menauhant Beach East is scheduled to be closed beginning in September 2022 and opened again in Spring 2024. During the summer of 2023, each Menauhant Beach (West and East) will be accessible from their respective sides of the Bournes Pond Inlet. There may be some decrease in the size of the respective parking lots, as needed to accommodate construction and dredging equipment.
In September 2022, the current Menauhant Bridge will be removed. Through dredging, sediment from the inlet will be used for beach nourishment. When completed, the new Bournes Pond Bridge will be at the same elevation as is the current bridge. The inlet width from the ocean into Bournes Pond will be increased from the existing 45 feet to 90 feet, with the west abutment staying in place and a new east abutment constructed. For safety reasons, there will be a sidewalk on the completed south side of the bridge.
Construction of new groins is part of the project as well as beach nourishment. After project completion, it is expected that some beach nourishment will continue to be necessary to preserve the results of the project.
Because of the size and scope of this combined project, the Town expects that the bidding process will attract many qualified construction firms. It was determined that a combined project is necessary so that the appropriate equipment (both dredging, and construction) will be available on the schedule as is needed.
The planned schedule anticipates completion and re-opening of Menauhant Road from Davisville Road to Central Avenue in Menauhant in spring 2024.
In response to member questions, Peter indicated that the town is aware that traffic onto Davisville Road from and to the west (i.e., from the Green Pond area) is likely to grow considerably; and will and needs to be addressed. In addition, there is likely to be an effect on the southern Bournes Pond shell fishing area at times, due the impact of construction/dredging equipment; the authorities are aware of this.
In further conversation, we have agreed that the Town will keep the Association informed regarding pertinent issues. Your Association will plan to use the website (davisvillecivicassociation.org) to provide regular updates, including to your email address, if you have provided your email address to us.
The feedback on Peter’s presentation was very positive and we thank Peter both for his excellent presentation and response to questions from Association Members. We will plan to keep in close contact with Peter and his office throughout this process.
