They finally agreed to the independent review. We forced their hand. Stay vigilant while the assessment begins.
October 10, 2019
Final supporters
NORWALK, RETHINK THE BRIDGE
We are calling on Mayor Rilling and the City of Norwalk to request a 90-day stay and order an independent review of the new lift bridge planned to replace the Walk Bridge, specifically as it relates to the Federal Navigable Waterways designation of the Upper Harbor.
Is a $1 billion project including a massive, mechanically complex bridge the best option for Norwalk as a replacement for the current Walk Bridge? Is it necessary to build an industrial size behemoth to service the lightly trafficked upper harbor?
A fixed bridge would cost half to build (from $511 just for the bridge alone, require years less of disruption for Norwalk, cost a fraction to maintain, and safeguard our coastline.
1. Simpler and less costly design
2. Simpler and less costly construction (savings of $261 to $211 Million)
3. Reduced construction time (savings of approximately 2 years)
4. Increased structural resiliency
5. Elimination of maintenance, repair and replacement costs for the mechanical and electrical components needed for movable bridges. And, in this case, two parallel movable bridges.
6. Elimination of ongoing labor costs associated with the operation of movable bridges
7. Improved aesthetics. A truss bridge could be designed to maintain a look in keeping with the Walk Bridge’s historic character
8. Improved rail operational safety, efficiency and reliability
Shouldn’t Norwalk review these questions thoroughly before the start of a disruptive 5-year construction that will permanently deface our coastline and impact our fragile maritime ecosystem?
Protect Norwalk Harbor is a group of Norwalk residents who want the city to request a 90-day stay and order an independent review of the current replacement bridge.
The Walk Bridge replacement was selected under obsolete requirements of federal navigability that should be reviewed before irreparable damage is done to our local environment and economy.
It is not too late for Norwalk to do its due diligence. No comprehensive study was done to determine the applicability of the Federal Navigable Waterways designation to the future of the Upper Harbor. Yet, this criterion determined the need for the current lift bridge selection.
We are encouraged by Governor Lamont’s recent public statements questioning the appropriateness of the current lift bridge.
Please sign our petition!
Find out more:
https://www.facebook.com/RethinkTheBridge/
Updates
September 28, 2019
I am currently reviewing the latest engineering reports to better counter the city's claims. This bridge plan is outdated and costs far too much.
September 28, 2019
The momentum is undeniable. City Hall can no longer look the other way while we demand a better plan.
Reached 100 supporters
September 28, 2019
58 Comments
As a property owner and taxpayer in Norwalk the Walk Bridge project seems to be just another boondoggle with no regard for local quality of life. Enough.
Why does it need to be as wide as it is? Completely unnecessary, only needs to be as wide as either current opening. The current swivel bridge has pilings in the middle so that is a point everyone is missing
This is a boondoggle and complete waste of money. The current usage of the waterways above the bridge do not establish sufficient need for a moveable bridge which will only be a huge eyesore costing enormous amounts of money and time to construct.
I understand there are competing narratives about this project. I would welcome a comprehensive study by independent, and qualified, consultants to address all issues before hte project proceeds further.
Proposed lift bridge project costs exceed $1 billion, not merely "hundreds of millions." By all means, be fair to Devine Bros., but for heaven's sake don't mess up our city permanently, and blow a billion bucks, just so that one business can get the occasional barge full of gravel.
We need affordable housing. I am on SS and have to pay $1600 a month rent plus utilities in Norwalk. We don't need a new walk way, we need housing.
From the start the city was told it was costly and EYE sore...stop screwing with my tax dollars and review our concerns!!!
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They finally agreed to the independent review. We forced their hand. Stay vigilant while the assessment begins.
October 10, 2019
Final supporters
NORWALK, RETHINK THE BRIDGE
We are calling on Mayor Rilling and the City of Norwalk to request a 90-day stay and order an independent review of the new lift bridge planned to replace the Walk Bridge, specifically as it relates to the Federal Navigable Waterways designation of the Upper Harbor.
Is a $1 billion project including a massive, mechanically complex bridge the best option for Norwalk as a replacement for the current Walk Bridge? Is it necessary to build an industrial size behemoth to service the lightly trafficked upper harbor?
A fixed bridge would cost half to build (from $511 just for the bridge alone, require years less of disruption for Norwalk, cost a fraction to maintain, and safeguard our coastline.
1. Simpler and less costly design
2. Simpler and less costly construction (savings of $261 to $211 Million)
3. Reduced construction time (savings of approximately 2 years)
4. Increased structural resiliency
5. Elimination of maintenance, repair and replacement costs for the mechanical and electrical components needed for movable bridges. And, in this case, two parallel movable bridges.
6. Elimination of ongoing labor costs associated with the operation of movable bridges
7. Improved aesthetics. A truss bridge could be designed to maintain a look in keeping with the Walk Bridge’s historic character
8. Improved rail operational safety, efficiency and reliability
Shouldn’t Norwalk review these questions thoroughly before the start of a disruptive 5-year construction that will permanently deface our coastline and impact our fragile maritime ecosystem?
Protect Norwalk Harbor is a group of Norwalk residents who want the city to request a 90-day stay and order an independent review of the current replacement bridge.
The Walk Bridge replacement was selected under obsolete requirements of federal navigability that should be reviewed before irreparable damage is done to our local environment and economy.
It is not too late for Norwalk to do its due diligence. No comprehensive study was done to determine the applicability of the Federal Navigable Waterways designation to the future of the Upper Harbor. Yet, this criterion determined the need for the current lift bridge selection.
We are encouraged by Governor Lamont’s recent public statements questioning the appropriateness of the current lift bridge.
Please sign our petition!
Find out more:
https://www.facebook.com/RethinkTheBridge/
Updates
September 28, 2019
I am currently reviewing the latest engineering reports to better counter the city's claims. This bridge plan is outdated and costs far too much.
September 28, 2019
The momentum is undeniable. City Hall can no longer look the other way while we demand a better plan.
Reached 100 supporters
September 28, 2019
58 Comments
It is a huge cost and we deserve to have all other options exhausted before we commit to this project. Aesthetically, it will be a stain on the very community we have worked so hard to rebuild!
As a property owner and taxpayer in Norwalk the Walk Bridge project seems to be just another boondoggle with no regard for local quality of life. Enough.
Why does it need to be as wide as it is? Completely unnecessary, only needs to be as wide as either current opening. The current swivel bridge has pilings in the middle so that is a point everyone is missing
This is a boondoggle and complete waste of money. The current usage of the waterways above the bridge do not establish sufficient need for a moveable bridge which will only be a huge eyesore costing enormous amounts of money and time to construct.
I understand there are competing narratives about this project. I would welcome a comprehensive study by independent, and qualified, consultants to address all issues before hte project proceeds further.
Proposed lift bridge project costs exceed $1 billion, not merely "hundreds of millions." By all means, be fair to Devine Bros., but for heaven's sake don't mess up our city permanently, and blow a billion bucks, just so that one business can get the occasional barge full of gravel.
We need affordable housing. I am on SS and have to pay $1600 a month rent plus utilities in Norwalk. We don't need a new walk way, we need housing.
From the start the city was told it was costly and EYE sore...stop screwing with my tax dollars and review our concerns!!!
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It is a huge cost and we deserve to have all other options exhausted before we commit to this project. Aesthetically, it will be a stain on the very community we have worked so hard to rebuild!