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Section Of Retaining Wall Collapses
JOURNAL INQUIRER
A section of the concrete retaining wall near the railroad bridge on Route 159 collapsed this month into the southbound lane of traffic.

While the section of wall, which supports a raised sidewalk, was 2½-feet high and between 15 and 20 feet across, Town Manager Peter Souza said the sidewalk still is open and safe for pedestrian traffic.

It’s likely, he said, that the winter’s “freeze and thaw cycle” caused the collapse.

Souza said he contacted the state Department of Transportation to ask that it repair the section. But, he admitted, state funding to do so is unlikely. The cost of the repair has not been determined.

In recent years, the DOT has held towns responsible for maintaining sidewalks that run along state roads, Souza said.

The 250-foot long wall was constructed in the 1970s, Souza said, however, Windsor records show no indication that the town agreed to maintain the structure.

This is not the first time a section of the retaining wall has needed repairs. The town spent between $60,000 and $75,000 nine years ago to fix three sections that were “leaning outwards,” Souza said.

Despite its problems, Souza said, the wall does not need to be completely replaced.

“The rest of it is in fair condition,” he said.