[MassHistPres] question about guard rails

[rcsmitharch at verizon.net]

Unfortunately most towns do not stop to think about the visual impacts of these kinds of engineering decisions.

 

There are wood and steel systems available- you might contact the National Park Service- they have many miles of scenic highways, often with wood guard rails.  The merit parkway in CT has wood guard rails with steel reinforcement at the back.

 

AmericanTimberandSteelCatalog.pdf <https://www.americantimberandsteel.com/clientuploads/directory/AmericanTimberandSteelCatalog.pdf#page=23> 

 

I assume the rails that were installed are the galvanized corrugated steel variety you see along most highways.  Leave the posts and replace the rails with heavy timber?

 

 

 

Richard Smith

Swampscott historical Commission

 

From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> On Behalf Of Jenny O'Neill
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2022 5:29 PM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: [MassHistPres] question about guard rails

 

I am seeking guidance on the following issue:

 

Last year the town of Westport highway department installed two metal guard rails along Drift road which is a rural, winding, scenic road (not designated as an official scenic road however) and not a busy highway. The guard rails run along a more recent small bridge, adjacent to the historic Kirby Bridge on Drift Road, ruining the historic nature of the site. The rails seem to be excessively long for the location. The project was funded by Chapter 90 state money.  It seems that the town was not really aware of the historical significance of the site, and when applying for state funds, they did not "check the box" for "historic site" on the application form.  The bridge is identified in the MHC inventory.

 

Some people would like the guard rails to be removed, but the town is unlikely to agree to that from a safety and liability perspective. 

 

There does not seem to be any local oversight or community input for these projects.

 

I would appreciate any  thoughts on/experience with creating a protocol for the town to review DOT funded work from a historic preservation perspective. Might this be a responsibility for the local historical commission?

 

I would also be interested in learning about any acceptable alternatives to metal guard rails. I have been informed that some of the alternatives are costly when compared to the steel guard rails.

 

I am aware of the option of scenic road designation for the future but unfortunately do not think this would be an easy alternative.

 

Please share any similar experiences of / solutions to unsightly guard rails on quiet rural roads.

 

Thank you.

 

Jenny O'Neill, Executive Director

Westport Historical Society

westporthistory at westporthistory.net <mailto:westporthistory at westporthistory.net> 

PO Box N188, 830 Drift Road, Westport MA 02790

508 636 6011

www.wpthistory.org <http://www.wpthistory.org> 

www.PaulCuffe.org <http://www.PaulCuffe.org> 

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