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

FOR RELEASE: June 18, 2018

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 (Department) will conduct a public information meeting concerning the upcoming rehabilitation of Bridge No. 00061 - Strawberry Hill Avenue over Interstate 95 on Thursday June 28, 2018 in the Norwalk City Hall – Community Room, 125 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT.  An open forum for individual discussions with Department representatives will begin at 6:30p.m., followed by a formal presentation at 7:00 p.m.

The existing Strawberry Hill Avenue bridge is structurally deficient and functionally obsolete, having a substandard clearance that has contributed to past incidents, including a 2015 truck impact which damaged the existing steel girders and required the relocation of an existing water main to the topside of the structure, where it currently occupies one sidewalk along the bridge.  Increasing the clearance from 14’-1” to 16’-3” will bring this structure into compliance with current standards and allow the return of the water main to the underside of the bridge. 

Work to be performed under the Strawberry Hill Avenue Bridge Project (Project No. 102-363) was previously included as part of an Interstate 95 project involving median reconstruction, roadway resurfacing, and rehabilitation of bridges (Project No. 102-295).  To limit simultaneous traffic impacts to local roadways as a result of upcoming work associated with the WALK Bridge Reconstruction Program, the Strawberry Hill Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation was “broken out” as an independent project.  Project 102-363 is currently in the final stage of design, with construction expected to begin in the spring of 2019.

The work consists of repairing, replacing, and raising the existing bridge superstructure to improve clearance over Interstate 95.  The new bridge will maintain the existing Strawberry Hill Road travel and turn lane configuration.  Bridge construction tasks include reconstruction of the median pier and bridge abutments, relocation of utilities to the underside of the bridge structure, and replacement of the concrete deck material and asphalt surface material.  Raising of the bridge requires modification to the City of Norwalk’s local roads in order to meet the new bridge elevation.  These modifications will extend several hundred feet north and south along Strawberry Hill Avenue, east along Norden Place, and west along Beacon Street. 

One travel lane in each direction will be maintained along Strawberry Hill Avenue during peak hours. Alternating one-way traffic operations and occasional temporary detours will be employed to expedite construction activities during allowable periods. Lane shifts and periodic lane reductions will occur along both directions of Interstate 95 as required during allowable periods. 

All necessary right-of-way associated with this project has been acquired.

Construction is anticipated to begin in spring of 2019.  The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $10 million.  This project is anticipated to be undertaken with 90% percent Federal Funds and 10% percent State funds.

The public information meeting is being held to afford the public the opportunity to learn about upcoming construction activities and to allow open discussion of any views and comments the community may have concerning this project.

The meeting facility is ADA accessible.  Language assistance may be requested by contacting the Department’s Language Assistance Call Line at (860) 594-2109.  Requests should be made at least five (5) business days prior to the meeting.  Persons having a hearing and/or speech disability may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) and instruct the operator to contact (860) 594-2243.  Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.

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, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays.  Anyone wishing to discuss the project may contact Andy Fesenmeyer at (860) 594-3228 or by e-mail at andy.fesenmeyer@ct.gov.