Public Information Meeting Regarding Replacement of Route 154 Bridge Over Candlewood Hill Brook in H

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

NEWS RELEASE

2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546

NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456

FOR RELEASE: May 13, 2010

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062

FAX: (860) 594-3065

WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

Public Information Meeting Regarding Replacement of Route 154 Bridge Over Candlewood Hill Brook in Haddam

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will conduct a Public Information Meeting concerning the replacement of Bridge No. 00625, which carries Route 154 (Middlesex Turnpike) over Candlewood Hill Brook in the town of Haddam. The meeting will be on Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Center, 7 Candlewood Hill Road, Higganum, CT.

The existing bridge is a single span structure with a clear span length of approximately 22 feet consisting of a concrete deck supported on concrete encased steel I-beams. The bridge width is approximately 125 feet along the skew and carries a 13-foot travel lane and 9-foot shoulder in the northbound direction and a 15-foot travel lane and 9-foot shoulder in the southbound direction. There is a Town Green extending over the west side of the bridge. The bridge is in need of replacement due to the poor condition of the abutments and wingwalls, poor hydraulics at the bridge, and channel erosion due to scour.

The proposed project consists of replacing the existing single span bridge with one comprised of galvanized steel beams and a composite concrete deck on stay-in-place forms. The proposed clear span length will be increased to 30 feet to improve the hydraulic conditions at the site by increasing the hydraulic opening of the structure. The proposed bridge width including travel lanes, shoulders, parapets, and Town Green will remain the same as the existing bridge.

Work is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2012 and be completed in the early summer of 2013. Pending receipt of all rights-of-way permits and funding, the replacement of this bridge is anticipated to be undertaken with Federal and State funds. The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $3,465,000. There will be some minor rights-of-way involvement associated with this project. The construction will be performed in two stages. Under this scenario, one lane of traffic in each direction will be open during each construction stage. Pedestrian access across the bridge will also be maintained in each construction stage.

The Public Information Meeting is being held to afford a full opportunity for public participation and to allow open discussion of any views and comments the community may have concerning this proposed project.

Plans will be available for public review. CTDOT personnel will be available during the meeting to discuss this project. More detailed information is available at CTDOT's Office of Engineering, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, Connecticut, during office hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays. Anyone wishing to review the plans may contact Mr. Louis D. Bacho at (860) 594-3212 to make an appointment. Plans will also be available for review at the Town Planning office.

All persons interested in this project are welcome to attend this meeting and discuss the project with CTDOT personnel.