The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will conduct a virtual public information meeting concerning the replacement of Bridge No. 05664 carrying Taft Pond Road over Mashamoquet River in Pomfret on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.

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. The meeting will take place on Zoom, and registration is required. A question and answer (Q&A) session will immediately follow the presentation, which will be recorded. For instructions on accessing the meeting and ways to provide comments and ask questions, please visit http://portal.ct.gov/DOTPomfret111-125.

“This project will replace a weight-restricted and scour-deficient bridge with a new bridge and accompanying support structure for safe crossing by the traveling public,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Project Manager Andrew Shields. “We encourage the public to attend this meeting to share their feedback with the CTDOT project team.”

The purpose of the project is to replace Bridge No. 05664, which carries Taft Pond Road over Mashamoquet Brook, due to its weight restriction, scour deficiency, and sub-standard bridge rail. The proposed replacement structure is a prestressed concrete adjacent deck unit bridge that will alleviate weight restrictions. The superstructure will be supported by concrete abutments and designed to resist scour. A crash-tested 3-tube open bridge rail system is proposed to be mounted along the concrete curbs along both fasciae and will meet current design standards. The roadway will be reconstructed approximately 270 feet south of the bridge and 215 feet north of the bridge, and the existing horizontal and vertical alignments will be maintained. 

Traffic will be detoured during construction through a 9-mile detour route around the bridge.  

There are right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed improvements. The proposed bridge replacement will require permanent slope easements.  

Construction is anticipated to begin in 2026 based on the availability of funding, acquisition of rights of way, and approval of permit(s). The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $2.45 million. This project is anticipated to be undertaken with 80 percent federal funds and 20 percent state funds.  

Individuals with limited internet access can listen to the meeting by calling (877) 853-5257 and entering Meeting ID 814 1554 0783. Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). Individuals with limited internet access may also request that project information be mailed to them within one week by contacting Andrew Shields at Andrew.Shields@ct.gov or (860) 594-2077. 

Language assistance may be requested by contacting the CTDOT 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. 

This meeting will also be livestreamed on the CTDOT YouTube channel; no registration is required. Non-English language closed captioning will be available on Zoom and YouTube. The recording will also be posted immediately following the meeting in the list of CTDOT virtual public meetings at portal.ct.gov/ctdotVPIMarchive.

Members of the public can submit comments and questions during the two-week public comment period following the meeting. Please submit comments and questions by October 31, 2023, to DOT-FLBP@ct.gov  and 860-594-2020, or Andrew Shields at Andrew.Shields@ct.gov or (860) 594-2077. Please reference State Project No. 0111-0125 in the email or voicemail.