Restoration of Greenfield covered bridge advances

GREENFIELD, Mass. (AP) - A covered bridge in Greenfield that was knocked off its abutments when the remnants of Hurricane Irene roared through western Massachusetts in August 2011 may be back in place and open to traffic by the end of the year.

The bridge that spans the Green River was moved to the side a couple of months after Irene, where it remains to this day.

The state Department of Transportation is currently reviewing the town's plans for its restoration and Town Engineer Sara Campbell tells The Recorder the plans will be released as soon as the state gives' the go-ahead.

The current bridge was built in 1972 to replace a 100-year-old bridge burned by vandals in 1969. It was closed to vehicular traffic in 2002 when it was deemed unsafe.

Cox Media Group