CTDOT Press Releases
11/23/2022
Public Invited to Virtual Informational Meeting Regarding the Replacement of Bridge No. 00279 Carrying Lawler Lane over I-395 in Norwich
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will conduct a virtual public information meeting concerning the replacement of Bridge No. 00279 carrying Lawler Lane over I-395 on December 13, 2022, at 7:00 PM. The meeting will take place on Zoom and registration is required. A Question and Answer (Q&A) session will immediately follow the presentation. The presentation will be recorded. For instructions on how to access the meeting, ways to provide comments, and how to ask questions, please visit 0103-0277 Norwich (ct.gov).
The Virtual Public Information Meeting is being held to provide the public and local community the opportunity to offer comments or ask questions regarding the proposed project.
Constructed in 1958, reconstructed in 1983, and preserved in 2017, the existing structure exhibits a large area of concrete deterioration based on the inspection of The Department’s Bridge Safety and Evaluation Unit. Due to the extent of deterioration of Bridge No.00279, the initial project scope has been modified from a rehabilitation to a full replacement of the bridge considering the future cost savings as well as to achieve a longer service life.
A staged construction method will be utilized to minimize the impact to the traveling public during construction activities. The bridge will be demolished one lane at a time. As one side is servicing traffic the other will be demolished and rebuilt. Once one side is constructed, it will become open to traffic and the second stage of the bridge will be constructed. The traffic will be maintained and protected in the open lane with the assistance of temporary signalizations. Those impacted by construction will be those living on Lawler Lane, and the surrounding area, who use the bridge daily. The bridge and I-395 will be open to traffic during peak hours and may experience intermittent and limited closures during off peak hours.
The new bridge will permit the increase of the current substandard vertical clearance to 16-feet to I-395, which meets the Interstate Vertical Clearance requirements for oversized Military vehicle passage.
Right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed project will be minimal and limited to slope easement.
Construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2024 based on the availability of funding, project schedule, and acquisition of rights of way. The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $7.5 million. This project is anticipated to be undertaken with 80 percent Federal funds and 20 percent State funds for the design phase and 100 percent State Funds for the Construction phase.The project is identified as State Project No. 0103-0277.
Individuals with limited internet access can listen to the meeting by calling (877) 853-5257 and enter Meeting ID 848 6704 5639. Persons with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS).Persons with limited internet access may also request that project information be mailed to them within one week by contacting Jonathan Kempf (860-594-3308; Jonathan.Kempf@ct.gov).
Language assistance may be requested by contacting the CTDOT 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.
This meeting will also be livestreamed on the CTDOT YouTube Channel and no registration is required. Non-English language closed captioning will be available on Zoom and YouTube. The recording will also be posted immediately following the meeting in the list of CTDOT virtual public meetings at portal.ct.gov/ctdotVPIMarchive.
Members of the public can submit comments and questions during the two-week public comment period following the meeting. Please submit comments and questions by December 27 to DOTProject103-277@ct.gov and (860) 594 2020, or toJonathan Kempf (860-594-3308; Jonathan.Kempf@ct.gov). Please reference State Project No. 0103-0277 in the email or voicemail.
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES:
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
860-594-3062
CTDOTMedia@ct.gov
Twitter: @CTDOTOfficial
Facebook: Connecticut Department of Transportation
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