MDOT tells Stonington bridge replacement may require town contribution for granite facing; residents push to preserve appearance

MDOT engineers presented replacement options for the Oceanville bridge and told the Stonington selectmen that structural constraints may make granite-facing restoration a municipal expense.

At a July meeting, MDOT representatives Andrew Lathe and Jaime French explained that the northern piling is set on glacial till rather than bedrock and that structural replacement would require additional work. MDOT estimated granite-facing work around $200,000 and said the agency could offer a municipal agreement for a 50% share, leaving the town with an estimated $100,000 obligation for the aesthetic stone facing.

Residents and local speakers told the board they preferred preserving the bridge’s granite appearance. At the June and July meetings, community members read letters and pressed for MDOT to preserve the historic granite facing rather than remove it as part of replacement work. Board members said they would solicit broader community feedback and consider engineering alternatives, including a one-lane replacement with traffic control, but they did not commit to funding.

Why it matters: The causeway and bridge are central to island circulation and local heritage. A municipal contribution of the size discussed would be a notable capital expense for Stonington and could require town-meeting consideration.

Next steps: MDOT planned abutter site visits and further meetings with the selectmen. The board asked staff to collect community input, evaluate a municipal agreement, and return with options and clearer cost estimates. No municipal appropriation was approved in the meetings captured here.