Public Information Meeting for the Replacement of Bridge No 01358 Route 139 over Branford River and

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

NEWS RELEASE

2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546

NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456

FOR RELEASE: November 14, 2012

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062

FAX: (860) 594-3065

WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

Public Information Meeting for the Replacement of Bridge No. 01358, Route 139 over Branford River, and Replacement of Bridge No. 04848, School Ground Road over Branford River, in the Town of Branford

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is conducting a public information meeting regarding the replacement of Bridge No. 01358, Route 139 over Branford River, and Replacement of Bridge No. 04848, School Ground Road over Branford River, in the Town of Branford. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, December 5, 2012, at the Fire Headquarters Meeting Room, 45 North Main Street, Branford, CT, 06405. All persons interested in this project are welcome to attend this meeting and discuss the project with Department personnel. The inclement weather date will be December 12, 2012.

Bridge No. 01358:

The existing bridge consists of a two-span concrete slab on cast-in-place concrete abutments. The bridge is located on Route 139 approximately 0.3 miles north of U.S. Route 1, in the town of Branford. The bridge carries one lane of traffic in each direction. The existing bridge has a curb-to-curb width of 24 feet. The estimated 2011 Average Daily Traffic on Route 139 at this site is 9,400 vehicles per day.

The purpose and need for the project is to address the bridge’s structural deficiencies and functional obsolescence. The bridge is structurally deficient due to the poor condition of the deck and it is functionally obsolete due to the existing bridge width.

The proposed bridge replacement will result in approximately 900 feet of roadway construction. The proposed roadway approach width is 32 feet with two 12 foot travel lanes and two 4 foot shoulders. The proposed roadway profile will be raised approximately 3.5 feet.

Traffic will be detoured via School Ground Road and Main Street during the construction of the proposed bridge.

Work is anticipated to begin in spring 2015. The replacement of this bridge is to be undertaken with federal and state funds. The estimated construction cost for this project is $4,000,000.

Bridge No. 04848:

The existing bridge consists of a single-span cast-in-place concrete structure on stone rubble masonry abutments. The bridge is located on School Ground Road approximately 0.3 miles north of U.S. Route 1, in the town of Branford. The bridge carries one lane of traffic in each direction. The existing bridge has a curb-to-curb width of 21 feet. The estimated 2012 Average Daily Traffic on School Ground Road at this site is 7,110 vehicles per day.

The proposed roadway approach width is 32 feet. The proposed roadway profile be raised approximately 1.4 feet.

Traffic will be detoured via Route 139 and Main Street during the construction of the proposed bridge.

Work is anticipated to begin in spring 2014. The replacement of this bridge is to be undertaken with federal and local funds. The estimated construction cost for this project is $2,640,000.

This 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 the proposed projects.

Plans will be available for public review at the Town Hall. Department of Transportation (Department) personnel will be available during the meeting to discuss this project. More detailed information is available at the Department's Office of Engineering, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, Connecticut, during office hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays. Anyone wishing to review the plans may contact Mr. Joseph Scalise at (860) 594-3389 or Joseph.Scalise@ct.gov to make an appointment.