ANDOVER — On October 18, a yellow-green 1976 Ford F100 crossed the new Hall Road bridge, just two weeks from the date the Andover Highway Department dismantled the crumbling structure that had been in place since 1932. Three homes and 5th Gear Farm rely on the bridge as their only vehicular route to town and beyond. The project, initiated in January 2024, was directed by Josif Bicja, Project Engineer of Manchester-based engineering firm Hoyle Tanner, and managed by Highway Supervisor Kevin Duval.
Along with Bicja and Duval, Select Board members and the past and present Town Administrators communicated regularly with affected residents throughout the planning phase to address concerns. In response, Fire Chief Steve Barton provided the security of a fire engine on the isolated side of the bridge, and Duval arranged a quad rental to transport first responders up the steep road in the case of an emergency and to get residents home at the end of a late shift or to transport groceries.
Prior to taking down the original bridge, Duval and the Highway Department crew, including AJ Barton, Eric Muise, and Cody Barton, constructed a pedestrian walkway capable of supporting the weight of the quad. There was no cost for required materials as they used hemlock sourced earlier at the Transfer Station for supporting beams and planks milled at the new Highway Department facility.
Bicja noted that the project would have cost more than $400,000 if the Town did not have a Highway Supervisor with project management capabilities. At a recent Select Board meeting, Chairperson Dana Swenson announced that the project is estimated to be $200,000 under the original budget numbers. Duval’s construction experience, paired with his crew’s diverse range of skills, including heavy equipment operation, allowed the work to be expedited and completed within such a short duration and under budget.
As Duval explained, “This team’s work ethic and commitment to getting the job done as designed and on time was obvious to anyone watching the daily progress. Some workdays started before sunrise and one even stretched out to 9:15 PM, with work being completed in the rain and by floodlight.”
Bicja notes, “This type of project would be considered an Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) in the bridge industry. Such projects rely on innovative techniques to build faster, and require significant resources and equipment to make them a success. ABCs are generally tackled by bridge contractors who have extensive experience and knowledge in this arena.
“It was truly impressive to see the Andover Highway crew’s ability to manage and execute the project with limited resources and equipment. Their commitment and work ethic are exceptional and deserve recognition and praise from the Andover community.”
To say residents were impressed is an understatement. Shares resident Maureen Callahan, “We were prepared for added delays caused by weather and unforeseen situations, so this was a remarkable accomplishment. Kudos to the entire Hall Road bridge project team.”
The Town of Andover would also like to recognize and thank CWS Fence and Guardrail, a well-respected local business, for their contributions to the project. Not only did they install the bridge and approach railings, but they also generously donated $6,000 to support the effort. Additionally, Michie Corp of Henniker played a crucial role by fabricating the precast concrete deck panels, providing an essential component for the successful completion of the project.