Press Releases
03/28/2021
Virtual Public Information Meeting Concerning Proposed Rehabilitation of the Dexter Coffin Bridge Carrying I-91 over the Connecticut River, Amtrak Railroad Tracks, Route 159, and South Water Street, in Windsor and Windsor Locks.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (Department) will conduct a virtual public information meeting concerning the proposed rehabilitation of the Dexter Coffin Bridge (Bridge 00454) Carrying I-91 over the Connecticut River, Amtrak Railroad Tracks, Route 159, and South Water Street, in East Windsor and Windsor Locks on Monday, May 10, 2021. The formal presentation begins at 7 PM. The meeting will be live streamed via Microsoft Teams Live Event and YouTube Live. A Question and Answer session will immediately follow the presentation and the presentation will be recorded. Instructions on how to access the meeting and on how to provide comments or ask questions can be found at the project webpage: https://portal.ct.gov/DOTWindsorLocksEastWindsor165-509.
The project is identified as State Project No.0165-0509.
The purpose of the project is to upgrade the integrity of the Dexter Coffin Bridge (Bridge 00454) structural elements to a state of good repair and to meet current design standards. The upgrade of the bridge will extend the service life of the structure.
The Dexter Coffin Bridge is a 12-span structure carrying I-91 over the Connecticut River, Amtrak railroad tracks, Route 159, and South Water Street. The bridge consists of a multi-girder with reinforced concrete deck over reinforced concrete substructure, with a total area of 239,207 square feet. The bridge has a structure length of 1,698-feet and a curb-to-curb width of 132-feet which carries four lanes of traffic in each direction. The 2015 average daily traffic volume on the bridge is 108,200 vehicles with 14-percent being trucks.
The bridge was originally constructed in 1959 under project 165-63, and reconstructed (widened) in 1991 under project 165-110.
The latest inspection report dated September 16, 2019, rated the superstructure a “5” (Fair Condition) due to the deficiencies found in the bearing devices, steel girders, bolts and rivets and connection weld cracks. The substructure is rated a “6” (Satisfactory Condition) due to the deficiencies found in the abutments and piers.
The overall scope of rehabilitation of the bridge is as follows:
- Perform partial and full depth bridge deck repairs.
- Replacement of deficient deck expansion joints.
- Install new membrane waterproofing and overlay.
- Clean and upgrade the bridge drainage system.
- Rehabilitation of corroded and cracked steel members and connections.
- Repair or replacement of frozen bearings.
- Repair substructure spalls (above water line).
- Upgrade the bridge lighting and navigation lighting.
- Spot cleaning and painting of structural steel.
- Installation of metal conduits for future IMS cables.
- Replacement of approach metal beam rails and parapet railings.
The bridge carries different utilities, and there are Amtrak Railroad Tracks under span 2. At a minimum, a general permit acquisition will be required from the Department of Environmental and Energy Protection (DEEP) for work required over the Connecticut River. No in-water work is anticipated for this project, however, barges may be necessary to perform repairs on the substructure.
Right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed project are not anticipated.
Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2023 based on the availability of funding, acquisition of rights of way and approval of permits. The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $38.7 million. This project is anticipated to be undertaken with 90-percent federal funds and 10-percent state funds.
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. Persons with limited internet access may request that project information be mailed to them by contacting Mr. Meziane Meziani by email at meziane.meziani@ct.gov or by telephone at (860) 594-3096, allow one week for processing and delivery.
Individuals with limited internet access can listen to the meeting by calling (800) 779-8168 and entering the Participant Code when prompted: 3083441. Persons with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). The MS Teams Live Event offers closed captioning for the hearing impaired and non-English translation options. A recording of the formal presentation will be posted to YouTube following the event and closed-captioning (including non-English translation options) will be available at that time. The recording will also be available in the list of DOT virtual public meetings here: https://portal.ct.gov/dot/general/CTDOT-VPIM-Library.
Visit the project webpage for options for Apple users. During the Q&A session and the 14-day comment period that follows the meeting, individuals may leave a question or comment via email (preferred) at DOTProject165-509@ct.gov. Individuals may also leave a voicemail question or comment by calling (860) 944-1111. Please reference the project in your voicemail.
Language assistance may be requested by contacting the Department’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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
TELEPHONE: 860-594-3003
WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/CTDOTOfficial