WESTFIELD (WWLP) – Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan on Tuesday reiterated his call to close portions of the parks near the Great River Bridge due to safety concerns.
Barrels and temporary fencing are installed at the northern and southern edges of the bridge along the overlooks. Last month, portions of the concrete barriers between public walkways and the Westfield River weakened, and gave way.
A construction contractor working on the bike path hit one of the overlooks with a cable. That caused part of it to loosen.
Pedestrians say there should be signs warning the community of the structural danger.
“I wish they told people because what if it were to collapse? What if there was something to happen? Someone could get hurt. They could warn people more something like this is happening,” said Nicholas Galcenski of Westfield.
The Department of Public Works, who oversees the parks, has engaged a structural engineering firm to evaluate the extent of damage. The engineers performed a site visit in early March and determined the balusters are unstable and should remain closed until restoration of the existing structure is complete or a new guardrail is installed.
A second phase of the consultation will include evaluation of alternatives and estimates for constructing a permanent solution. That report will be completed in the coming month and city officials will determine the most effective course of action.
The areas in question are along the northern bank of the Westfield River in Half Mile Falls Park between the twin bridges, and in Women’s Temperance Park, west of North Elm Street; and Kane-Wojtkiewicz Park on the southern bank of the River, between the twin bridges.
