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

FOR RELEASE: February 1, 2017

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

Utility Construction at Newtown Turnpike Bridge over the Merritt Parkway in Westport

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is announcing the start of a utility upgrade project on the Newtown Turnpike bridge over the Merritt Parkway in Westport. The Utility Contractor plans to have a possible nighttime closure of the Northbound and Southbound lanes near Exit 41 for a duration of 20 minutes on or about February 5, 2017, weather permitting.

This portion of the project consists of utility upgrades needed for the upcoming Merritt Parkway (Route 15) project.

As part of DOT Project No. 0158-0211 this is the utility phase for Eversource Electric and Frontier Communications upgrading their systems to accommodate the future bridge safety upgrades.  This project is administered by the Office of Construction – District 3, New Haven.

LANE CLOSURE INFO

     The Merritt Parkway (Route 15) Northbound and Southbound lanes near Exit 41:

There is a possibility of a complete shutdown in both directions for a period of 20 minutes to run a new powerline across the Merritt Parkway. The lanes will be shut down sometime between the hours of 9:00PM and 4:00AM.

     The Newtown Turnpike Bridge that runs over Route 15 (Merritt parkway):

Expect a one lane closure of the Newtown Turnpike between the hours of 9:00AM and 3:00PM. A police officer will be present to direct traffic. Effective immediately.