1. Notice of Scoping for Replacement of Bridge No. 04446 - Hop River Road over Hop River
Address of location: Hop River Road over Hop River, approximately 0.3 miles north of its intersection with Route 6 (Willimantic Road) and immediately downstream of the Hop River Dam.
Municipalities where proposed action might be located: Coventry and Columbia
Project Description: Bridge No. 04446 is a two-span structure that carries Hop River Road over Hop River at the Coventry and Columbia town line. Hop River Road is functionally classified as a Rural Local Road with a posted speed limit of 25 mph, and has an Average Daily Traffic (ADT) volume of approximately 258 vehicles. The existing structure is generally oriented in a north/south direction and carries one travel lane (stop sign controlled, one-way alternating) of vehicular traffic. The are no sidewalks on the existing structure.
The bridge, constructed in 1955 and rehabilitated in 1989 consists of two spans comprised of steel beams and a concrete deck supported by stone masonry abutments and central pier. The existing structure has been determined to be functionally obsolete due to its curb-to-curb width of 12 feet and the ADT of 258 vehicles per day. Due to the feasibility of rehabilitating the existing structure, it has been deemed eligible for replacement.
The proposed construction involves replacement of the existing structure with a new two-span continuous steel multi-girder and concrete deck superstructure on pile supported cast-in-place abutments and modified central pier. The proposed structure consists of two 65-foot clear spans with an overall length of approximately 134 feet. The existing pier will have minor masonry repairs and the concrete cap will be replaced with a new concrete prestressed steel cap to accommodate the wider superstructure. The proposed structure will be built on a new horizontal and vertical alignment.
The northern span of the proposed structure will be comprised of straight girders while the southern span will be comprised of curved girders to accommodate the improved horizontal curve located immediately south of the bridge. The proposed structure will be widened to two-lanes of traffic (one in each direction) and the curb-to-curb width will be increased to 24 feet. The widened roadway, additional travel lane and softened curve (190-foot radius) will eliminate the need for the stop signs on both sides of the bridge. Vertically, the existing flat profile will be changed to a 0.50% slope to promote sheet flow off the bridge during storm events.
Existing overhead utilities will be relocated to provide the appropriate clearance to perform the construction work. A stone veneer will be utilized on the endblocks and substructure elements to replicate the aesthetics of the existing bridge.
Construction duration is anticipated to be approximately 6 to 8 months. Hop River Road will be closed to vehicular traffic during construction, and a detour will be implemented during the duration of construction utilizing state and local roads. Access to adjacent properties will be maintained at all times during construction.
Project Maps and Photographs: Click here to view maps/aerials of the project area as well as photographs of the existing bridge.
Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: February 19, 2021
Any person may ask the sponsoring agency to hold a Public Scoping Meeting by sending such a request to the contact below. If a meeting is requested by 25 or more individuals, or by an association that represents 25 or more members, the sponsoring agency shall schedule a Public Scoping Meeting. Such requests must be made by Friday January 29, 2021.
A Virtual Public Informational Meeting was held on December 15, 2020. The Report of Meeting can be found by clicking here.
Written comments and/or requests for a public scoping meeting should be sent to (E-Mail preferred):
Name: Kevin Fleming, Transportation Planner
Agency: CT Department of Transportation, Office of Environmental 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 (E-Mail preferred):
Name: Marc Byrnes, Project Engineer
Agency: CT Department of Transportation, Division of Bridges
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
Phone: 860-594-3489
E-Mail: Marc.Byrnes@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: CT Department of Transportation, Office of Legal Services
Address: 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06131
Phone: 860-594-3045
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.