[MassHistPres] question about guard rails

[Judy Markland]

Jenny,

I believe that the DOT has an individual responsible for overseeing work 
related to historic bridges.  Someone else on the list may be able to 
help you track him or her down.

Many years ago the Weston Historical Commission was successful in 
persuading the DOT to keep wooden guardrails and planking on a bridge 
over railroad tracks.   It can be done.

Judy Markland, Whately Historical Commission

On 4/20/2022 5:28 PM, Jenny O'Neill wrote:
> 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
> 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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> MassHistPres at cs.umb.edu
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