1. Notice of Scoping for Rehabilitation of Bridge 00793A – Route 15 Northbound Over Quinnipiac River

Address of possible location: The bridge is located approximately 1.4 miles south of Exit 66 on mile post 59.66.

Municipality where proposed action might be located: Wallingford

Project Description: The purpose of the project is to rehabilitate the existing bridge. Constructed in 1946, the existing structure is comprised of two simply supported spans with a reinforced concrete deck supported by 5 rolled steel beams resting on reinforced concrete abutments and a reinforced concrete pier wall. The existing substructure is founded on timber piles. The existing structure has a maximum span of 51 feet and has a 31-foot curb-to-curb width and a bituminous concrete overlay with woven glass fabric waterproofing membrane. The existing structure length is 107 feet. The average daily traffic (ADT) is approximately 29,600 vehicles per day (2020). The concrete deck deterioration shows deep spalls with exposed rusted rebar and section loss. 

The project is currently in the preliminary design phase. Since the deck was previously patched under a rehabilitation project and due to the extent of deterioration of the deck, a superstructure replacement is anticipated. The current proposed construction method is to demolish the existing bridge superstructure and replace the bridge. Based on the existing condition of the substructure and the fact that the substructure it is founded on piles, the existing substructure shall remain and be repaired as required. On the bridge, an existing historic open bridge rail resides on either side of the bridge. The bridge has been determined eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places as part of a potential Wilbur Cross Parkway Linear Historic District. As such, the proposed project will result in an Adverse Effect to historic properties due to the proposed replacement of the superstructure, including one of the character-defining features of the structure, the metal bridge railings. Coordination with the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office is ongoing to determine any mitigation measures required for the impact to the bridge. 

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: Friday August 19, 2022

Other Information: A virtual public informational meeting was held on May 12, 2022. A report of the meeting can be found here. A recording of the meeting can be found here. 

Written comments and/or requests for a public scoping meeting should be sent to (email preferred)

Name: Kevin Fleming, Transportation Planner

Agency: Department of Transportation Bureau of Policy and Planning

Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike Newington, CT 06131 

E-Mail: dot.environmentalplanning@ct.gov

If you have questions about the scoping for this project, contact (email preferred):

Name: Nicholas J. Martin, Transportation Engineer 

Agency: Department of Transportation, Bureau of Engineering and Construction

Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike Newington, CT 06131

Phone: 860-594-3609

E-Mail: Nicholas.Martin@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: 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.