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

FOR RELEASE: May 29, 2018

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

Replacement of Ann Street Railroad Bridge in Norwalk Progresses  

                On the Weekends of June 8-10, and June 15-17 

Buses to Substitute for Danbury Branch Weekend Trains to Accommodate

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The Connecticut Department of Transportation is announcing that during the weekends of June 8-10 and June 15-17, the Walk Bridge Program will start the first half of the Ann Street Railroad Bridge superstructure replacement in Norwalk, which will improve operations on the Danbury Branch. Buses will be substituted for trains on the Danbury Branch during those weekends.

The Ann Street Bridge currently carries two railroad tracks; the renewed bridge will carry a third track to provide train storage. During the first phase of the bridge replacement, crews will install a temporary support of excavation. Once the support of excavation is in place, crews will remove four existing steel girders on the eastern half of the bridge.

The replacement of the Ann Street Railroad Bridge supports the Danbury Branch Dockyard Project, which will enhance operations on the New Haven Line by providing a midline yard location where trains are stored and staged when not in use on the mainline.

The Walk Railroad Bridge in Norwalk is a 122-year-old bridge carrying Metro-North trains over the Norwalk River. That bridge is being replaced under this program, starting in 2019.

To support work essential to maintaining and improving service on the Danbury branch, buses will substitute for trains on the weekends of June 8-10 and June 15-17.  Metro-North Customers should also be advised that a 50-day road closure of Ann Street under the railroad bridge will start on June 13 to facilitate construction work in the vicinity of the railroad bridge. Pedestrian and driveway access will be maintained.

More information on the bridge replacement and a detour map for the Ann Street closure can be found at:  www.walkbridgect.com