VPIM Project Webpage SPN 0044-0161
A virtual public informational meeting for the project will be held on Monday, August 5 at 7 p.m.
The purpose of this meeting is to provide the community an opportunity to learn about the proposed project and allow an open discussion of any views and comments concerning the proposed improvements. A Q&A session will immediately follow the presentation.
The purpose and need of the project are to address structural deficiencies associated with the poor condition of the existing bridge to get it into a state of good repair. The project will accomplish this by replacing the existing circa-1969 and 1983 twin metal plate pipe arches under Colony Road at Latimer Brook in the town of East Lyme with a new single span bridge.
The existing bridge is located approximately 1/3 of a mile east of State Route 161 (aka Chesterfield Road). The bridge carries bi-directional traffic on Colony Road in an east-west direction over Latimer Brook. There are no sidewalks on or near the bridge. The existing bridge consists of twin metal plate pipe arches. Colony Road is classified as an Urban Local Road, and the estimated Average Daily Traffic on the bridge is 322 vehicles per day.
The proposed bridge will consist of a single span AASHTO Concrete Box Beam Superstructure on Reinforced Cast-in Place Integral Abutments founded on piles. Ten precast AASHTO Box Beams will be overlain with a concrete shear slab, membrane waterproofing, and 3-inch minimum wearing surface. The concrete integral abutments will be founded on piles, and the wingwalls will be cast-in-place. The overall bridge length will be increased from 37 feet to 87 feet and have an approximate 78-foot clear span. A curb-to-curb width of 37 feet 6 inches, consisting of two 11-foot wide travel lanes and two 5-foot minimum wide shoulders, will be provided on the bridge. Open bridge rail, mounted to cast-in-place concrete curbs, will be utilized across the structure and terminate into concrete end blocks located at all four corners of the bridge. A curved wall will be utilized at one corner of the bridge, and guiderail will be installed at three corners.
The roadway will be reconstructed to limits approximately 41 feet west of the bridge span and 41 feet east, resulting in 160 feet of total project limits. The bridgework will utilize a full road closure and detour; Colony Road traffic near the bridge site will be detoured to State Route 161 (aka Chesterfield Road), Egret Road, Sandpiper Lane, Cedarbrook Lane, and Brookfield Drive. An existing water main in Colony Road will be relocated onto the downstream fascia of the proposed bridge. Existing overhead utility wires will be temporarily relocated to utility poles alongside the existing bridge prior to construction and then replaced within the Colony Road right-of-way upon completion of construction activities. The exposed concrete on the bridge wingwalls will have a form liner finish, and the guiderail on the approaches will be galvanized.
There are right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed improvements. Construction easements and slope easements will be required on both sides of Colony Road to build the replacement bridge.
Construction is anticipated to begin in the Spring of 2026, based on the availability of funding, acquisition of rights of way, and approval of permits. The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $3.56 Million. This project is anticipated to be undertaken with 80% federal funds and 20% state funds.
The proposed project plans can be viewed here: 0044-0161_VPIM Display Materials.pdf
Please register for the virtual public information meeting at Registration Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oN8uwGg9SNOSIXUxlcF3Kg
Registration is required to participate. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to access the meeting.
This meeting will also be livestreamed on YouTube: portal.ct.gov/ctdotvpimarchive.
Members of the public can submit comments and questions during the two-week public comment period following the meeting. Please direct comments and questions by August 19 to:
- DOT-FLBP@ct.gov
- 860-594-2020
- And/or Jeffrey Organek at Jeffrey.Organek@ct.gov and (860) 594-3582
Closed captioning will be available. Non-English translation options will be available on Zoom and YouTube. The recording will also be available on CTDOT’s YouTube Virtual Public Information Meeting playlist: portal.ct.gov/ctdotvpimarchive.
Persons with limited internet access, use the call-in number 877-853-5257 and enter Meeting ID 860 9455 3682. Persons with limited internet access may also request that project information be mailed to them within one week by contacting Jeffrey Organek at Jeffrey.Organek@ct.gov or (860) 594-3582.
Persons with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS).
Language assistance may be requested by contacting the CTDOT’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.
Additional Information for Public
After the meeting, we hope you’ll take a few extra minutes to fill out our brief survey.