The Department of Transportation (Department) will conduct a virtual public information meeting concerning the replacement of Bridge 02591 carrying Route 97 over Fuller Brook in Hampton on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be live streamed via Microsoft Teams Live Event and YouTube Live. A Question and Answer (Q&A) session will immediately follow the presentation. The presentation will be recorded and 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/DOTHampton62-96.
The project is identified as State Project No. 0062-0096.
The existing Bridge 02591 is a 6-foot span buried concrete/masonry culvert atop bedrock. The inlet side of the structure is comprised of a large stone retaining wall with a stone archway opening all encased in shotcrete. The outlet side of the structure is comprised of pointed granite blocks with a flat concrete deck supporting the above soil and roadway. The streambed is currently about 25 ft. - 0 in. below the roadway. The curb-to-curb width is 30 ft. – 0 in. The bridge was originally built in 1935 and then lengthened at a later unknown date. It carries one lane of traffic northbound, and one southbound. The average daily traffic is 900 vehicles with approximately 3-percent truck traffic.
The proposed project scope is to remove the existing structure and increase both the span and length of the structure, as well as realign it to better meet the hydraulic demands of the area. Replacement is required based on the findings of the latest bridge inspection report in which the bridge superstructure was found to be in poor condition as well as the inability of the structure to appropriately handle a 100-year storm event. The proposed replacement structure is to be a precast concrete three-sided frame culvert, similar to the existing structure in that it allows the existing streambed to remain intact. The new culvert will have an opening of 8-feet high and 22-feet wide.
The project is scheduled to begin in summer 2023 pending availability of funding, acquisition of rights of way and approval of permits. Temporary relocation of overhead utilities and procurement of structural components is anticipated to occur in summer/fall 2023. Construction for the replacement of the bridge is scheduled to begin in spring 2024 and requires an approximate 14-week closure of Route 97 at Bridge 02591 during the late spring and the summer months of 2024. A corresponding detour for vehicular traffic is required. The proposed state route detour is approximately 21.4 miles.
There are right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed improvements. Temporary construction easements will be required east and west of the bridge to allow for temporary utility relocation and construction access. Minor permanent easements may be required west of the bridge to accommodate the new structure footprint.
The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $2.35 million. This project is anticipated to be undertaken with 80-percent federal funds and 20-percent state funds.
The 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. Jacob W. Platt by email at Jacob.Platt@ct.gov, allow one week for processing and delivery.
Individuals with limited internet access can listen to the meeting by calling (888) 566-5916 and entering the Participant Code when prompted: 9977843. 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 Department’s Virtual Public Information Meetings here: https://portal.ct.gov/dot/general/CTDOT-VPIM-Library.
Please visit the project’s 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 DOTProject62-96@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.