Connecticut Department of Transportation

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
NEWS RELEASE
2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546
NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456
FOR RELEASE: May 31, 2011
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062
FAX: (860) 594-3065
WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot
Public Information Meeting Regarding Rehabilitation of Bridge 00245 (Flat Rock Hill Road over I-95) in Old Lyme
The Connecticut Department of Transportation will conduct a Public Information Meeting for project 104-167 concerning the rehabilitation of Bridge 00245, which carries Flat Rock Hill Road over I-95 in Old Lyme, on Thursday, June 23, 2011 at the Old Lyme Town Hall in the first floor Meeting Hall.  A formal design presentation will begin at 7:00 p.m. followed by a question and answer session.
Bridge No. 00245, built in 1958, carries Flat Rock Hill Road over Interstate 95 in the town of Old Lyme.  The bridge, which carries one lane of traffic in each direction, is located 3.1 miles north of U.S. Route 1 and just north of the intersection of Hatchetts Hill Road and Flat Rock Hill Road.  The structure has a total length of 173 feet, a curb-to-curb width of 40 feet, and an out-to-out deck width of 45 feet-7 inches.  The curb-to-curb width has been temporarily reduced to 26 feet-5 inches with the installation of jersey shaped precast concrete barrier curb.  The eastern exterior girders have been damaged by impacts from I-95 vehicles.  The existing minimum vertical clearance over I-95 is 14 feet-2 inches.  The structure consists of a four-span continuous steel multi-girder structure composite with a reinforced concrete deck.  The bridge has a bare deck.  The superstructure is supported by concrete abutments and three piers.  The estimated Average Daily Traffic (ADT) on Flat Rock Hill Road at this site is 116 vehicles.  The estimated 2009 ADT on I-95 under the bridge is 67,900 vehicles.
This project is necessary because the existing bridge is structurally deficient due to the poor condition of the superstructure and functionally obsolete due to the substandard minimum vertical clearance over I-95.  The bridge is structurally deficient because the fascia girders exhibit extensive vehicular impact damage.  The girders exhibit moderate to heavy rust at the base of the webs and along the bottom flanges. 
The proposed rehabilitation consists of a new two-span continuous, high strength weathering steel superstructure, providing a minimum vertical clearance of 16 feet-3 inches.  The roadway profile at the bridge will be raised between 18 and 24 inches and the superstructure depth will be reduced to increase the minimum vertical clearance.  The intermediate piers will be removed and the center pier will be reconstructed to form a wall pier.  The abutments and center pier will be modified to accommodate the proposed superstructure.  The structure length and curb-to-curb width will remain the same as the existing bridge.  Retaining walls will be constructed approximately 12 feet from the existing abutments to allow for future widening of I-95.  The existing substandard guide railing along I-95 and Flat Rock Hill Road, within the project limits, will be removed and replaced with guide railing that conforms to current standards.
The bridge will be constructed in two stages.  Alternating one-way traffic, controlled by temporary signalization, will be maintained during each stage.  Two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction of I-95, except when short term lane closures during off-peak hours are required.  No impacts to private property are anticipated.  Work is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2013 and be completed in the fall of 2014.  The estimated construction cost is $6,400,000.
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.  Department personnel will be available during the meeting to discuss this project.  More detailed information is available at the Department’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 Ms. Mary E. Baker at (860) 594-3402 or mary.baker@ct.gov to make an appointment.  All persons interested in this project are welcome to attend this meeting and discuss the project with CTDOT personnel.