ADAMS, Mass. — The deteriorating Cook Street Bridge is slated for improvements, with the state favoring a superstructure replacement that would address the bridge's structural needs while minimizing impacts to the surrounding area.

 

The Cook Street Bridge primarily serves local traffic, spanning the South Branch of the Hoosic River and providing connections between the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, Albert Street and Crotteau Street. It has a 12-ton weight limit.

 

The estimated cost at this point is $6.1 million.

 

The single-span bridge, originally constructed in 1957, has developed several structural deficiencies in recent years, including deteriorating steel beams with section loss and rusting, said Kasey Burke, project manager for the consulting engineering firm TEC. 

 

Additionally, there are holes in the underside of the deck that have exposed rebar, which is restricting travel across the bridge, she said. 

 

Deterioration of the bridge deck beneath the pavement is also resulting in several potholes on the road surface, which presents an ongoing maintenance issue for the town, Burke said. 

 

The planned replacement will have 10-foot striped travel lanes in each direction and be the same length of the current bridge, without adding any extra supports.