On the New Hampshire side, a new $62 million bridge was been opened by the state of New Hampshire between Brattleboro and the town of Hinsdale.
The two cities decided to allow bicyclists and pedestrians to continue using the old bridges. However, Hinsdale started to reconsider when homeless individuals from Brattleboro started to camp on the island between them.
Since then, New Hampshire has closed the bridges and is currently considering demolishing them.
For over a decade, the towns of Brattleboro and Hinsdale have been debating the creation of a bike and pedestrian path across the Connecticut River.
The island between two ancient bridges that are no longer in use is to be developed for walking, bird watching, and possibly even launching kayaks.
Brett Morrison, who grew up in Vernon, just across the river, formed The Friends of Island Park, a volunteer organization, to begin cleaning up the island and possibly raising money.
In anticipation of the large interstate project, he felt it would be fun to celebrate this summer around the July 4 holiday.
Morrison realized something was wrong when Hinsdale stated that it had no interest in hosting a party.
We realized that things might be going awry when their town administrator informed them that the select board had decided not to support their permit to have the party and procession with the state DOT, Morrison said.
Downtown Brattleboro does not have direct access to the Connecticut River.
According to Morrison, the river is a resource that ought to be incorporated into the town’s construction, even though the streets and buildings are typically constructed with their backs to it.
“Brattleboro needs to find a way to turn itself inside out, and capitalize on its river here,” Morrison stated. “And with this bridge project, now is our opportunity.”
New Hampshire’s transportation department is in charge of constructing and maintaining the bridges that span the Connecticut River, which separates the states of New Hampshire and Vermont.
Hinsdale Town Administrator Kathryn Lynch questioned state transportation authorities about the intentions for the older structures when the new bridge opened in December.
She was shocked to learn that construction on the bike and pedestrian routes would not start for at least a year or two.
“I realized right away that it would not be good and that there would be an increase in negative behavior,” Lynch stated. And I was aware that it would only worsen and snowball if that remained latent. It has, too.
Homeless individuals in Brattleboro crossed the bridges and pitched tents on the island when the weather warmed up.
Officials in both towns reported violence, drug use, and a large amount of trash that was beginning to accumulate.
Lynch reports that her police officers were spending a lot of time cleaning up and patrolling the area around the bridges, which are roughly seven miles from the center of Hinsdale.
She added that almost every individual that was cited crossed the river from Brattleboro.
It’s a waste. Lynch described it as a manpower and financial drain. Brattleboro has more manpower than we have. Brattleboro has a larger budget than we have. Additionally, it is quite reckless of them to ask Hinsdale to cover all of the expenses.
The fact that New Hampshire owns the island and bridges complicates matters because Brattleboro police are not allowed to patrol the region.
According to Lynch, if the project proceeds, Hinsdale is also worried about the long-term maintenance expenses.
The town informed the New Hampshire Department of Transportation that it would not support any portion of the island’s development, including bike routes and a pedestrian promenade.
The project has been put on hold, according to David Rodrigue, associate commissioner of transportation for New Hampshire.
“It usually sounds fantastic when projects like this are planned,” he remarked. As everyone knows, that doesn’t usually work out in the end. Therefore, it is imperative that we continue in the most responsible manner possible.
According to Rodrigue, he also received support for demolishing the bridges from certain Brattleboro residents.
It remains to be seen if the Vermont municipality can salvage any portion of the proposal.
Oscar Heller, a member of the Brattleboro Select Board, stated that Hinsdale’s worries are valid.
The select board has devoted numerous hours to addressing the daily displays of homelessness and violence in downtown.
The development of the riverfront area, where a new train station and possible riverfront park are under construction, is also a major component of the town’s progress.
Thus, Heller is opposed to Brattleboro abandoning the bridge project.
“I do believe it is a little unfair to characterize what I consider to be a national societal problem and say that Brattleboro is solely to blame in this area,” Heller said. We have what those individuals need, so it seems to me that this is where the problem is most likely to concentrate.
On whether to finance more work on the bridge construction project, the Brattleboro Select Board was divided.
The majority of the board, consisting of three members, expressed their desire to collaborate with Hinsdale to find a solution. However, one member objected, and another did not cast a vote, stating that New Hampshire should make the final decision about its bridges.
Representatives from Hinsdale and representatives from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation have been meeting with the board.
Regarding the future of the riverfront land, the department is hopeful that the municipalities can come to some sort of consensus.
However, a strong, secured gate will be installed on the bridges in the interim.
