News

Asbury Street bridge to close for three months

By Steve Landwehr
Staff writer
Published: July 16, 2008

TOPSFIELD — In a case of what could be called addition by subtraction, the Asbury Street bridge over the Ipswich River will be replaced this year, after all.

Topsfield Highway Department Superintendent David Bond said the original bidding for the work was actually for two projects. When bids came in at $1.1 million to $3.1 million, well above the $950,000 that was anticipated, the town's highway commissioners decided to ask for new bids for the Asbury Street bridge only.

The winning bidder, at $983,000, was John D. Hartnett and Son of Newburyport.

The commissioners decided it didn't make any sense to wait until next year to do the work.

"The cost of steel and fuel is escalating wildly," Bond said.

The bridge will be closed from Aug. 1 through November.

Bradley Palmer State Park and Green Meadows Farm will be accessible only through Hamilton. Parents of Pingree School students, like other drivers, will have to choose between Route 97 and Cherry Street in Wenham or Topsfield Road into downtown Ipswich and across the Choate Bridge.

The usual detour route, Highland Street, remains closed due to damage caused by the Mother's Day storm two years ago.

The Asbury Street bridge is 94 years old.