WESTFIELD—It was discussed yesterday that there have been no new developments on the waiver request from the Westfield Fire Department for Cowles Bridge.
Westfield City Council’s public health and safety subcommittee discussed the bridge, which runs along Route 10 and 202, for the second time in about two weeks, after the Westfield Fire Department has been unable use the bridge with several fire vehicles due to weight limits and the need of a waiver from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
The city and the Westfield Fire Department have been awaiting word on a waiver, but according to Westfield Fire Deputy Chief Pat Eghloff, no waiver has been received yet.
A portion of Cowles Bridge, which is along Southwick Road
“As of today, the liaison of the state said there is nothing new,” Eghloff said to the committee at the meeting yesterday.
Eghloff also noted that the original estimated time given by the state for the waiver has elapsed, and said that the department received no word from either Rep. John Velis or Sen. Don Humason on the matter yet. Velis and Humason attended the committee meeting that occurred about two weeks ago on the matter.
MassDOT previously sent a letter, dated Aug. 3, to the department requesting that they refrain from using the bridge with vehicles above the posted weight limits until a waiver has been received from MassDOT. The Westfield Fire Department complied and also applied for a waiver following the letter from the state.
The posted weight limit on Cowles Bridge
According to Eghloff, the department has been continuing to monitor the situation, which has included a log of every fire-based incident that is called in on the other side of the bridge.
The department has also been using alternative routes to respond to incidents on the other side of the bridge and the department is in the preliminary phase of looking into pursuing a lighter truck, according to Eghloff.
The item was voted on to keep within the committee until a waiver was received. A corresponding report was provided to city council.
