DOT Project 0301-0177 Webpage
Welcome to the webpage for Project 0301-0177, Mechanical and Electrical Rehabilitation of the SAGA Railroad Bridge, in the Town of Westport.
A virtual public informational meeting for the project will be held on Tuesday, April 16 at 7:00 p.m.
The purpose of this meeting is to provide the community an opportunity to learn about the proposed project and allow an open discussion of any views and comments concerning the proposed improvements. A Q&A session will immediately follow the presentation.
Bridge No. 08032R (Mile Point 44.32) carries four Metro-North Mainline tracks over the Saugatuck River in the Town of Westport. The bridge has one bascule span and four approach spans. It was constructed in 1904 and rehabilitated in 1985.
The proposed project includes refurbishment and partial replacement of machinery that is responsible for lifting and lowering the bridge. The project further proposes to refurbish and partially replace the systems that lock the bridge in place when it is in the closed position. Machinery that provides vertical support to the bridge when it is closed and locked will be refurbished, as well. The proposed work on the mechanical systems also includes installing debris shields to protect the machinery. Machinery that is refurbished will be cleaned and painted as needed.
Electrical equipment that powers and controls motors as well as the systems that allow different components of the bridge to communicate with each other will be replaced. The wiring, conduit, and navigation lighting are also components of the electrical system that will be replaced.
In summary, the project will provide rehabilitation of the mechanical and electrical systems to ensure reliability and reduce the maintenance on the bridge for the next fifteen years.
Off season deviations to the bridge opening schedule will be necessary as the bridge will not be able to open while these systems are under construction.
Right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed project are not anticipated.
Construction is anticipated to begin Fall 2025 based on the availability of funding and approval of permits. This project is anticipated to be undertaken with 100% State funds.
The proposed project plans can be viewed here.
The Public Meeting Notice can be viewed here.
Please register for the virtual public information meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xh6Jq5s_QBO9-SL8t4_BSw. Registration is required to participate. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to access the meeting.
This meeting will also be livestreamed on YouTube: portal.ct.gov/ctdotvpimarchive.
Members of the public can submit comments and questions during the two-week public comment period following the meeting. Please direct comments and questions by April 30, 2024 to:
- DOTProject0301-0177@ct.gov
- 860-594-2020
- And/or Hareshkumar Dholakia, Hareshkumar.Dholakia@ct.gov; (860) 594-3173
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: portal.ct.gov/ctdotvpimarchive.
Persons with limited internet access, use the call-in number 877-853-5257 and enter Meeting ID 864 4268 6183. Persons with limited internet access may also request that project information be mailed to them within one week by contacting Hareshkumar Dholakia, (Hareshkumar.Dholakia@ct.gov; (860) 594-3173). Please reference State Project Nos. 0301-0177.
Persons with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS).
Language assistance may be requested by contacting the 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 for Public
After the meeting, we hope you’ll take a few extra minutes to fill out our brief survey.