4. Notice of Scoping for Replacement of Bridge No. 00853, Route 16 over Salmon River
Address of possible location: Route 16 (Colchester Avenue) over Salmon River approximately 2 miles west of the intersection with Route 149 (Westchester Road).
Municipality where proposed action might be located: East Hampton
Project Description: The bridge (00853), constructed in 1932 and reconstructed in 1986, is comprised of a concrete encased steel girder and reinforced concrete deck superstructure supported on reinforced concrete abutments, wingwalls and central pier. It has been determined that the bridge is potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Route 16 is classified as a Rural Minor Arterial Road and has an Average Daily Traffic (ADT) volume of approximately 6,800 vehicles per day. The existing structure is generally oriented in an east/west direction, with no skew, and does not carry a sidewalk on either side.
The purpose of the project is to address the structural deficiencies of State Bridge No. 00853, and to provide a structure that accommodates safe travel for all facility users. The replacement bridge will be a steel plate girder structure with integral abutments. The proposed bridge will be a single span structure and have a span length of 150 feet, eliminating the center pier. It also includes a widening of the roadway to provide a 32-foot curb-to-curb width.
There are right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed improvements. These impacts include temporary construction easements on each side of the bridge. Construction is anticipated to begin April of 2026 based on the availability of funding, acquisition of rights of way, and approval of permit(s).
Project Map: Click here to view a map of the project area.
Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: October 19, 2023
There will be a Virtual Public Scoping Meeting for this proposed project:
DATE: October 5, 2023
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
PLACE: Virtual
NOTES: Please register for the Virtual Meeting at https://portal.ct.gov/DOTEastHampton41-121. Registration is required to participate. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to access the meeting.
Members of the public can submit comments and questions through October 19, 2023 to: DOTProject41-121@ct.gov and 860-594-2020 or Francisco Fadul, Transportation Supervising Engineer, Francisco.Fadul@ct.gov, (860) 594-2078.
This meeting will also be livestreamed on YouTube, and closed captioning will be available. Non-English translation options will be available on Zoom and YouTube. The recording will also be available on CTDOT’s YouTube Virtual Public Information Meeting playlist: https://portal.ct.gov/ctdotvpimarchive
Persons with limited internet access, use the call-in number (877) 853-5257 and enter Meeting ID 868 7811 6111. Persons with limited internet access may also request that project information be mailed to them within one week by contacting Brianna Ritacco, Brianna.Ritacco@ct.gov, (860) 594-3205.
Persons with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS).
Language assistance may be requested by contacting CTDOT’s Language Assistance Call Line (860) 594-2109. Requests should be made at least five business days prior to the meeting. Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.
Additional information about the project can be viewed online at: https://portal.ct.gov/DOTEastHampton41-121
Written comments and/or questions about the meeting or project should be sent to:
Name: Mr. Francisco Fadul, Transportation Supervising Engineer
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering and Construction
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
E-Mail: DOTProject41-121@ct.gov
Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring state agency:
Name: Ms. Alice M. Sexton
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation, Office of Legal Services
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
E-Mail: Alice.Sexton@ct.gov
What Happens Next: The sponsoring agency will make a determination whether to proceed with preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) or that the project does not require the preparation of an EIE under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA). A Post-Scoping Notice of its decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor.