MDOT engineers present Oceanville bridge options; town told it may face municipal share for granite facing

MDOT engineers presented options for replacing the Oceanville bridge at a July Selectmen meeting, describing structural and aesthetic tradeoffs that could require municipal participation in some work.

Andrew Lathe and engineering partner Jaime French told Selectmen the northern piling under the existing bridge is badly compromised and is not founded on bedrock but on glacial till, creating structural challenges for a like‑for‑like replacement. Lathe said that because of the subsoil conditions, the agency is weighing options that include full replacement and different approaches to the granite facing seen on the existing structure.

Engineers discussed an estimated figure for granite facing and cited a notional total in the neighborhood of $200,000; under a municipal agreement MDOT outlined a possible 50‑percent cost share that would leave the town with a roughly $100,000 obligation for that aesthetic work. The meeting also canvassed operational alternatives, including a one‑lane replacement with temporary traffic signals to reduce costs.

Residents at a separate June meeting had asked the town to pursue keeping the granite facing; several said they would prefer the historic appearance. TM Billings and selectmen said they would solicit public feedback, consider whether to seek additional engineering opinions and discuss whether a municipal agreement or other cost‑share arrangements made sense for Stonington.

Why it matters: The Oceanville crossing is locally important for access and for the town’s character; any decision about replacement design or cost sharing affects town capital planning and could require the board to identify funding or enter a municipal agreement.

What’s next: MDOT will continue outreach with abutters and town officials; selectmen asked for additional public input and will evaluate municipal cost options before any formal commitment.