Many readers had contacted the Gazette asking why there were barricades on the Westfield bridge for months this fall. I recently received an explanation from the Department of Public Works.

"This was a repair to a bearing under the beam located on the southwest end of the bridge. Our bridge consultant recommended we place barrels and signage at the location to move traffic off of the repair until it was completed. These materials were left on site to be used as needed until the repair was fully complete.

"Once the bearing was replaced, concrete was poured and its strength was tested, but did not pass this strength test. Due to this, our contractors had to repeat the pouring process.

"Our contractor did not have to close the bridge for a majority of this repair, and only had to restrict traffic with a flagging operation. As I mentioned, the original schedule for the repair was to only last a few days, however weather conditions affected the repair timeline, as well as the additional order of necessary supplies."