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

FOR RELEASE: July 27, 2016

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

Ribbon Cut for Newly Completed Route 8/25 Bridges

                Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner James P. Redeker today cut a ribbon to mark the completion of one of the department’s most innovative and complex bridge projects – the accelerated replacement of four bridges on Route 8/25 in Bridgeport using a “Design-Build” process that sharply reduces the length of construction and minimizes impacts on traffic.

                Also included in the $34.7 million project about two miles north of I-95 was the rehabilitation of a large retaining wall supporting Route 8 and capacity improvements to the Exit 4 northbound off-ramp and two intersections on Lindley Street adjacent to Route 8 northbound.

                “By using these techniques, the major portion of the project construction was reduced from two years to one summer,” said Commissioner Redeker. “I want to commend the Design-Build team of Parsons Brinckerhoff and Manafort Brothers of Plainville. And I’d like to thank the motoring public for their patience and understanding. This is a tremendous project that was completed on budget and on schedule. Congratulations to all!”

                Commissioner Redeker pointed out that the new structures have modern weathering steel beams that require no paint or maintenance over their anticipated 75 year lifespan. The project was paid for with 85 percent funding from the Federal Highway Administration and 15 percent state funding.

               Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) makes use of prefabricated elements to minimize the amount of work on site. The beams and deck for these bridges were built along Route 8 northbound at Exit 5. Once completed, they were brought to the site and quickly installed with minimal impact to the traveling public. ABC was selected for this site due to the high volume of traffic on Route 8/25 – approximately 104,300 vehicles a day – and the potential impact on travelers. By employing ABC, the impacts to Route 8/25 traffic were reduced from two years to approximately one month.

               Design-Build is an alternative project delivery method where the owner selects a design and build team, which is a good method when time is of the essence since the design and construction phases can be overlapped. This method also allows the partners to come up with new ideas for how to get the job done more efficiently by using the contractor’s strengths.

For more information on this project, visit www.rt8bridgeport.com. View a time-lapse video of this project.