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

FOR RELEASE: April 20, 2017

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 a traffic shift for stage construction will begin on April 24, 2017, for the replacement of Bridge 03469, I-395 northbound over Tracy Road in Killingly.

The project consists of the replacement of the existing bridge carrying I-395 Northbound over Tracy Road. This project will be constructed using an Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) technique known as Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil–Integrated Bridge System (GRS–IBS). The GRS–IBS is an innovation to help reduce bridge construction time and cost. The technology consists of three main components: the reinforced soil foundation, the abutment, and the integrated approach. Alternating layers of compacted granular fill and geosynthetic reinforcement provide support for the bridge.

The bridge will sit directly on the GRS-IBS substructure, creating a seamless and smooth transition between the bridge and approach roadway without joints, deep foundations, approach slabs, or cast-in-place concrete. The smooth transition from the roadway to the bridge helps alleviate the “bump at the end of the bridge” problem caused by differential settlement between the bridge abutment and the approaching roadway.

The construction of the new GRS-IBS bridge will occur in two stages. I-395 northbound in the vicinity of the bridge will be reduced to one lane while construction occurs. The construction of the new bridge will be performed behind temporary barrier.

DOT Project No. 0068-0211 was awarded to Northern Construction Service, LLC at a cost of $3,637,030.00 on December 4, 2015 and is scheduled to be completed November 30, 2017.

LANE CLOSURE INFO
I-395 Northbound traffic will be shifted to the new portion of the bridge starting April 24, 2017. One lane of traffic will be maintained while demolition/construction of the second bridge stage takes place.

Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this vicinity.