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

FOR RELEASE: July 7, 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 is announcing that on July 15, 2016, the “Stage 2 Crossover Plan,” consisting of lane closures, lane shifts, lane realignments and other traffic pattern modifications will take place on Routes 8 and 25.

The traffic modifications are necessary to facilitate the rehabilitation and/or replacement of four bridge structures on route 8 in Bridgeport (over Capitol Avenue and Lindley Street), as well as the widening of the exit 4 northbound off-ramp and Lindley Street.

DOT Project 15-363 was awarded to the Design-Build team of Manafort Brothers, Inc. of Plainville, CT and Parsons Brinkerhoff on March 27, for $34,752,000.00, with an official start date of May 11, 2015, and an anticipated completion date of September, 2016.  In addition to the use of Design-Build contracting, the project will utilize Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) methods which will shorten the overall duration of the project while at the same time minimizing impacts to the traveling public.

Beginning at 7:00 PM on July 15, lane realignments will start on Routes 8 and 25. During this period motorists should anticipate fluctuating lane closures on both northbound and southbound Routes 8 and 25 to allow for the shifting of lane markings. This work will continue into the pre-dawn hours of July 16.

By  7:00 AM, Saturday July 16, it is anticipated that all traffic realignments will be completed, and the Stage 2 Crossover configuration will be established. The configuration will remain in effect continuously until the morning of July 30. During this fourteen-day period, the number of lanes on Route 8 will be reduced to three lanes northbound and two lanes southbound between Exit 3 and Exit 5, with Route 8 northbound shifted onto southbound portion of the highway.

Segments of Route 8, Route 1 and various local roads in Bridgeport will be impacted by this project. Motorists should be aware that short term alternating closures of Capitol Avenue and Lindley Streets will be required to facilitate the demolition and reconstruction of the bridges. During these closures, detour routes will be posted to assist motorists in navigating around the work zones.