CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546

FOR RELEASE: May 9, 2016

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 host a public information meeting to provide an update on the Route 8 Design-Build project in Bridgeport in advance of upcoming traffic shifts and lane closures required to complete the project.

The meeting will be held on Thursday, May 12, from 6 to 8 PM in the City Council Chambers of Bridgeport City Hall, 45 Lyon Terrace in Bridgeport.  The meeting will include a presentation, a question and answer session, and provide detailed detour route information.

The Route 8 Design-Build project involves the replacement of the superstructures (beams and concrete decks) of bridges on Route 8/25 in Bridgeport, over Lindley Street and Capital Avenue, located approximately two miles north of Interstate 95.  These bridges, which are about 44 years old and carry over 88,000 vehicles a day, are being replaced utilizing a new method of contracting for CTDOT, called “Design-Build.” Design-Build is an alternative project delivery method where the CTDOT selects a team consisting of a designer and a contractor to complete both the design and con¬struction of the project. This is a well proven method when time is of the essence as the design and construction phases are allowed to overlap.

In addition, CTDOT is utilizing Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques for the Route 8 work.  On this particular project, the use of Prefabricated Bridge Units (PBUs) will reduce the duration of staged work and modified and/or reduced lane configurations. These techniques will reduce the time of construction impact on the traveling public and stakeholders from two years, to a single summer.

The PBUs will be installed on the Route 8 bridges in two stages, each requiring traffic shifts and lane closures. During Stage 1, which will occur from June 11 through June 25, the southbound traffic is to be rerouted to the northbound side of the highway via two temporary median crossover roadways. The roadway configuration on the northbound side will be two (2) lanes southbound and three (3) lanes northbound. This configuration will allow for the accelerated demolition and construction of the Lindley Street and Capitol Avenue southbound bridges.

During Stage 2, which will occur from July 16 through July 30, the northbound traffic will be rerouted to the southbound side of the highway via two (2) temporary median crossover roadways. The roadway configuration on the southbound side will be two (2) lanes southbound and three (3) lanes northbound. This configuration will allow for the accelerated demolition and construction of the Lindley Street and Capitol Avenue northbound bridges.

During each of the two week bridge replacement periods, the first of which is expected to begin on June 11, demolition of the existing bridges and erection of the prefabricated bridge units over Capitol Avenue and Lindley Street will result in local road closures. Throughout the construction period, alternating detours will be in effect for Capitol Avenue and Lindley Street, with one road remaining open at all times.  Details regarding the closures will be provided at the public information meeting on May 12, 2016 and are available on the project website at www.Rt8Bridgeport.com.

The public is encouraged to visit the Route 8 Design-Build website and sign up for email updates on construction and work impacts; like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.