DERBY — In the aftermath of a bridge collapse in Minnesota, Rep. Linda Gentile, D-Ansonia, wants the state Department of Transportation to take a look at the stability of the James B. Atwater Bridge.

Gentile recently wrote a letter to state Transportation Commissioner Ralph Carpenter asking the DOT to perform a complete safety inspection and functional analysis of the 329-foot bridge carrying traffic from Route 34 over the Naugatuck River. The bridge, which connects Main Street to Derby Avenue, has been in service since 1959.

Gentile said the tragic bridge collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis two weeks ago — as well as concerns about "rotting" raised by a city resident — made the Atwater Bridge situation worth looking into.

"I'm sure the [DOT] is receiving numerous requests. Everyone's awareness is heightened now," she said. "I'm sure they'll do their best to acknowledge the requests."

Kevin Nursick, a DOT spokesman, said the Atwater Bridge is regularly inspected every two years and the last review in December 2005 determined it is structurally sound. Nursick said the bridge's deck was reported to be in poor condition, while the superstructure and substructure were in fair condition. "Atwater is an absolutely safe bridge," Nursick said. "Our key priority is public safety. If there are any concerns about the safety of a bridge, steps will be taken. If there were any concerns, it would be closed now." The DOT inspects and maintains more

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than 5,300 bridges statewide, Nursick said.

Nursick said the Atwater Bridge is scheduled for another mandatory inspection this December. Deck repairs are on the state schedule, Nursick said, though he is not sure when improvements to the deck will be done, or if Gentile's request will alter Atwater's inspection time frame. Rick Dunne, regional transportation planner for the Greater Bridgeport Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization, said there's been more concern about the Commodore Hull Bridge on Route 8 in Shelton. The state plans to spend about $12 million to upgrade that span in 2009. While he's appreciative of Gentile's concerns, Dunne said he doesn't see any reason to change the Atwater Bridge's inspection schedule.

"We're glad that the legislators are concerned, but we don't want to create a panic," Dunne said.

Carpenter could not be reached for comment on Monday.

Melvin Mason, who covers the Naugatuck Valley, can be reached at 736-5440.