Saugus selectman seeks bridge repair delay

SAUGUS – With bridge repairs set to begin on the Belden Bly Bridge in less than two weeks Selectman Michael Kelleher has a big question to ask.”I’m asking if it’s possible to postpone the bridge project?” he asked Wednesday.Kelleher said he feels there are too many neighborhood issues, lobstermen issues and unresolved detour problems to proceed with the project.The state, however, said delays are not on the agenda.Klark Jessen, spokesman for the Massachusetts Highway Department, said the state has every intention on moving forward with the project as planned on Dec. 15.”Barring any last minute issues, which as we all know could arise,” he added.Jessen pointed out that the repair project is an emergency job ordered by the state. He also noted that the state has already postponed the project once at the behest of the lobstermen.The repair job, which is slated to take five months to complete, was initially to begin in September. Area lobstermen worried that would put them out of commission during their busiest months, September and October, so the highway department relented.Jessen noted to accommodate the group they pushed the start date off to Dec. 15 but it can’t be pushed off again.Kelleher said he realized the possibility of postponing the project was slim but he wanted to put the option out there.”I know it would be pushing off the inevitable,” he added.Kelleher said he understands there have been neighborhood meetings and past discussion on the issue but he doesn’t believe things have been worked out to everyone’s best advantage.”We still don’t know if the lobstermen will be able to operate, if the temporary dock will have room for enough boats,” he said.Kelleher said he is also concerned about traffic and people clogging side streets trying to dodge around detours.Electronic message boards are up now warning commuters of the pending disruptions.Town Manager Andrew Bisignani is also meeting with highway officials today to iron out the final details of the project.Bisignani is not a fan of putting the project off.”My biggest concern is if the bridge breaks down in the up position or even in the down position,” he said. “It would be a disaster.”Selectman Peter Rossetti agreed it’s not a good idea to wait.”We need to open a dialog with all the concerned parties,” he said.The entire project, which includes building a temporary bridge and then a new bridge, will span nearly eight years. Rossetti said it’s important to open a dialog now that will carry through the entire project.Which brings Kelleher to another issue, why the whole project is slated to take so long.”This could actually destroy some businesses,” he said.Bisignani said issues to accommodate the fishermen, area businesses and residents will be worked out as best can be.”It has to be done,” he said. “We just need to finalize the details.”