CTDOT Press Releases
04/12/2024
Public Invited to Informational Meeting Regarding the Rehabilitation of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge Northbound Span in New London and Groton
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will conduct a hybrid public information meeting concerning the rehabilitation of Gold Star Memorial Bridge Northbound span on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
The public information meeting is being held to provide the public and local community the opportunity to offer comments and ask questions regarding the proposed project. This meeting will be held in-person in the Groton Municipal Building at 295 Meridian Street in Groton. The meeting will also be available on Zoom, and registration is required. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the Groton Municipal Television YouTube channel; no 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 https://portal.ct.gov/DOTGoldStar94-235VPIM.
“The Gold Star Bridge is a vital structure for New London and Groton residents, major employers, and freight movement along the I-95 corridor. This project will address existing bridge deterioration, increase the bridge’s load carrying capacity, and extend its service life,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Project Manager Tracey Brais. “We encourage the public to attend this meeting to share their feedback with the CTDOT project team to incorporate into the design.”
The purpose of the project is to address the deficiencies of the deck and steel superstructure and to improve freight travel across the Thames River. The project will increase the structural capacity of the bridge so that all legal, permit, and emergency vehicles can use the bridge, improve system safety, ensure long-term performance of the bridge, and continue to meet the traffic demands for the region.
The project also includes replacement of the existing deck, stringers, roadside barriers, fencing, expansion joints, drainage system, highway light standards and overhead sign supports; steel strengthening of the superstructure; repairing and replacing bearings; repairing and cleaning the concrete substructure; construction and reconstruction of approach slabs, pin and hanger maintenance; and painting of the steel elements.
There are right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed improvements. Temporary easements will be needed for construction access and laydown areas. No permanent right-of-way impacts are anticipated.
Construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2025 based on the availability of funding, acquisition of rights of way, and approval of permits. The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $591.9 million. This project is anticipated to be undertaken with $158.2 million in Bridge Investment Project Grant funds, 90% federal funds, and 10% state funds.
Individuals with limited internet access can listen to the meeting by calling (877) 853-5257 and enter Meeting ID 889 3368 2628. Individuals with hearing and/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 Tracey Brais at DOT.GoldStarBridgeProjects@ct.gov or (860) 594-3171.
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. Non-English language closed captioning will be available on Zoom and YouTube.
The recording will also be available 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 May 14, 2024, to DOT.GoldStarBridgeProjects@ct.gov or 860-594-2020. Please reference State Project No. 0094-0235 in the email or voicemail.
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