CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456

FOR RELEASE: June 9, 2009

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 FAX: (860) 594-3065 WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

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The Connecticut Department of Transportation will conduct a Public Information Meeting concerning the rehabilitation of Bridge Nos. 00717 and 00718, which carry Route 15 (Merritt Parkway) over Silvermine Avenue and the Silvermine River, in the city of Norwalk.  The meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 7:00 p.m., in Room A310 of the Norwalk Town Hall, 125 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut

Bridge No. 00717 is a single-span structure built in 1938, which carries Route 15 (Merritt Parkway) over Silvermine Avenue.  It is situated approximately ¾ miles west of the U.S. Route 7 and Route 15 interchange and 50 feet southwest of the crossing of Route 15 over the Silvermine River.  The total bridge length is 33 feet, and the total northbound and southbound out-to-out bridge width is 65.5 feet.

The Merritt Parkway is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered to be a Scenic Roadway.  Bridge No. 00717 is regarded as contributing to the historical significance of the Merritt Parkway, and as such, is included in the Connecticut Historic Bridge Inventory. 

Bridge No. 00718 is a three-span structure built in 1958, which carries Route 15 (Merritt Parkway) over the Silvermine River.  The total bridge length is 203 feet, and the total northbound and southbound out-to-out bridge width is 65.6 feet.

Bridge No. 00718 was reconstructed after the 1955 flood, and is not regarded as contributing to the historical significance of the Merritt Parkway, and as such , is not included in the Connecticut Historic Bridge Inventory.

Bridge No. 00718 has been indentified as having a deficient deck and as such requires that the deck be replaced.

The close proximity of Bridge No. 00717, located approximately 50 feet southwest of Bridge No. 00718, prevents taper lengths consistent with the minimum requirements of the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices" (MUTCD), unless provisions are made for the widening of Bridge No. 00717.  Without an increase in the usable cross-sectional area over Bridge No. 00717, severe reductions in transition lane shift tapers would be required, resulting in unsafe conditions for traffic traveling at speeds indicative of a limited access highway.

It has been determined that Bridge No. 00717 is to be widened as required to safely accommodate standard lane widths and/or taper transition lengths as required for the stage construction. 

In order to accomplish the above Bridge No. 00717 is to be widen by removing the existing architecturally significant parapets and pylons, widening the concrete frame approximately 3 feet on either side to accommodate an additional 6 feet of travel way and then recreating the architecturally significant parapets and pylons utilizing stained form liner concrete to mimic the original color and textured finish.

Construction will be performed in multiple stages to provide for two travel lanes in each direction during each stage on Route 15.  Traffic on Sivermine Avenue will be maintained utilizing one-way alternating traffic with signal control and an off peek detour as required to facilitate certain construction activities.

Work is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2012 and be completed in the fall of 2013.  The rehabilitation of this bridge is to be undertaken with Federal-aid On-System funds.  The estimated construction cost for this project is $10,000,000.00. 

The Public Information Meeting is being held to afford a full opportunity for public participation and to allow open discussion of any views and comments the community may have concerning this proposed project.