(NORWALK, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto today announced that the Fairfield Avenue Bridge, which crosses over Interstate 95 in Norwalk, has reopened ahead of schedule and under budget.
The new bridge, which replaces a bridge that was heavily damaged by a fiery motor vehicle collision in May and subsequently needed to be demolished, was rebuilt within seven months thanks to the quick and effective efforts of the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), Yonkers Contracting Company, several other state agencies, and a team of dedicated subcontractors from across Connecticut.
The initial timeline for the reconstruction project aimed for completion by spring 2025, but because of around-the-clock collaboration and hard work of construction crews, the new bridge has been fully restored and is now open to traffic. In addition to the early completion, the total cost of the project was lower than initially anticipated. Originally projected to cost roughly $20 million, the overall bridge replacement and demolition was completed for $16.8 million.
“Today marks a significant milestone for the Norwalk community and the hundreds of thousands of people who rely on this critical highway,” Governor Lamont said. “This is a great example of what can be accomplished when government, contractors, and local leaders work together with a sense of urgency and purpose. Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the Connecticut Department of Transportation and our partnering contractors, we’ve been able to reopen the Fairfield Avenue Bridge ahead of schedule, under budget, and with a more modern design that will better serve the community for years to come.”
“I’m incredibly proud of the exceptional teamwork and dedication of the Connecticut Department of Transportation and construction crews to expedite this project and reopen the bridge months ahead of schedule,” Commissioner Eucalitto said. “Every partner on this project overperformed the ambitious deadlines we set in May. This is a remarkable achievement and demonstrates what we can get done for the traveling public when federal, state, and local partners share a common purpose.”
The new bridge, spanning approximately 170 feet in length over I-95, maintains sidewalks on both sides and reduces the width of the vehicle travel lanes to better accommodate bicyclists.
Immediately following the motor vehicle collision in May that resulted in the original bridge being destroyed, Governor Lamont declared a state of emergency and sought the support of federal emergency relief funds. In the following days, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released $3 million in “quick release” emergency relief funds for CTDOT to help cover demolition and repair costs. The federal government is expected to cover 80% of the costs for the entire project.
To watch a timelapse video filmed between July and November of the crews building the new bridge, click here.