MDOT tells Stonington replacement needed at Oceanville bridge; town faces potential $100,000 share for granite facing

MDOT engineers presented plans for replacing the Oceanville bridge and flagged structural concerns that make a simple superstructure swap impractical.

Andrew Lathe and Jaime French of MDOT told the Selectmen the northern piling is too compromised and sits on glacial till rather than bedrock, which limits options for preserving the existing granite abutment facing. MDOT offered an approach that would permit granite-facing restoration but said a municipal agreement could make the town responsible for about half the facing cost; engineers estimated the town share might be on the order of $100,000. MDOT staff discussed alternatives including a one‑lane bridge with traffic signals to reduce costs and offered to meet onsite with abutters.

Why it matters: The Oceanville crossing is locally important for vehicle access and for the town’s historic aesthetic; decisions about granite facing and scope will affect both budget and visual character.

Board response and next steps: Residents and Selectmen asked whether cement or other reinforcement could preserve granite facing; MDOT explained bedrock and pile conditions make simple solutions unlikely. Selectmen asked for community feedback and indicated they might seek further engineering review before committing to municipal cost sharing. No municipal funding decision was made in the reported meetings.

Ending: MDOT will continue coordination with abutters and the town; Selectmen will evaluate community input and cost estimates before deciding whether to pursue a municipal agreement.