Gunstock officially opens new $1.2-million bridge largely paid for with stimulus funds

GILFORD — After six months of planning, 18 months of construction and one key legislative amendment the bridge spanning Area Road to Gunstock Mountain Resort was officially opened yesterday afternoon.

Cutting the red ribbon was Rep. James Pilliod who represents Belknap District 5 that encompasses Gilford, Belmont, Alton and Barnstead and the author of a piece of legislation that allowed county-owner bridges to qualify for state and local transportation aid.

Gunstock Director Greg Goddard thanked local builder CLD, local contractor RM Piper and Nancy Mayville of the N.H. Department of Transportation for getting the bridge completed earlier than deadline.

"We had to get a ski area open," said Goddard expressing his gratitude for taking all of his concerns in stride and with good humor.

According to Gunstock Commissioner Robert Durfee, himself a bridge engineer, the initial bridge was built in 1936 and was classified by the Department of Transportation as "poor" with crumbling concrete, site distance issues and drainage problems.

Durfee said the bridge had been included in the state's "Red List" and Guntock was able to get a few repairs done but had noted the bridge must be replaced by 2014.

Goddard said the town selectmen, coupled with the Gunstock Commission, and Belknap County political leaders worked with Gunstock to get the bridge including in federal stimulus funding because it was "shovel ready" in the fall of 2009.

The total cost of the bridge was $1.2-million with $935,000 coming from federal recovery money.