Waitsfield is developing short-term and long-term plans to address Meadow Road bridge, which sustained significant wear during last summer’s flooding and continues to deteriorate.
The bridge over the Mad River was heavily traveled in the aftermath of the July 2024 flood when other roads and bridges were damaged and closed. A July 29 Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) inspection reveals that the bridge shows widespread corrosion and structural degradation. The bridge remains open, though with weight restrictions.
The town road crew has been monitoring visible surface damage, including potholes and exposed rebar. Road foreman Josh Rodgers held off on patching the worst areas until VTrans completed its July assessment. The town will proceed with temporary surface fixes while exploring further work.
That work could include reinforcing the bridge’s steel beams. VTrans engineers suggested that “sistering” new beams to the existing ones – essentially doubling the support – could extend the bridge’s useful life by up to 10 years. The town is currently seeking an engineering firm to evaluate and guide those repairs and anticipates funding of up to $9,000 for architectural and engineering services.
Town administrator York Haverkamp said the bridge saw a significant increase in stress and use during the 2024 flooding, leading to extensive surface damage. FEMA has already visited the site, and the town expects to receive up to $30,000 in federal funds to support surface repairs. He said that FEMA support is subject to change and cannot cover all of the town’s anticipated costs.
“We’re thinking both short-term and long-term,” Haverkamp said.
On the long-term side, the Waitsfield Planning Commission and Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission have jointly applied for a competitive $250,000 grant. That funding, if awarded, would support engineering work for a full bridge replacement. Haverkamp said CVRPC and the planning commission are optimistic about the application, though any full replacement would still be years away due to the complexity of planning and funding.
According to the state inspection report, the most pressing structural concerns involve the steel superstructure and floor beams. Engineers noted extensive corrosion, pitting, and perforation in multiple support components. One beam has rotated slightly and both exhibit a downstream sway of several inches. The reinforced concrete deck, though in fair condition overall, shows signs of cracking and spalling, with exposed steel in multiple locations.
In related infrastructure news, Waitsfield’s covered bridge is also on the town’s radar. Officials say they are working with contractor Miles Jenesse of Vermont Heavy Timber and VTrans to address boards that have lifted and created noise as vehicles pass. That work is underway.
