On Tuesday, the Davis Avenue Bridge officially reopened to vehicular traffic on schedule and aligned with the new school year for Greenwich Public Schools.
A major component of this project – setting the precast, pre-stressed deck units onto the new abutments – was installed on August 2, 2021, and indicated that the bridge would reopen on time.
It is anticipated that there will be another closure for a few days in September in order to install the waterproof membrane, a necessary element of all new bridges.
The Town of Greenwich Dept of Public Works will announce these road closure dates in the near future.
The Davis Avenue Bridge is projected to be completely finished by Spring of 2022.
Project completion is dependent on weather and any unforeseen complications.
Located in Bruce Park the bridge is situated over Indian Harbor and serves three purposes – supporting traffic traveling on Davis Avenue, retaining water in the Davis Mill Pond and allowing water to flow into Indian Harbor. As part of the official Connecticut Department of Transportation diversion route for I-95, the Davis Avenue Bridge carries between 4,000 and 6,000 vehicles per day.
After labelled “functionally obsolete” due to structural weaknesses and deterioration over time, it was imperative to replace this bridge built in 1934. Throughout this project construction crews have been working six days a week.
Project Improvement features:
• Correct existing structural and functional deficiencies of the bridge.
• Improve multi-modal traffic flow and safety at bridge crossing.
• Wider driving lanes and shoulders.
• Five-foot-long road shoulders which will make the bridge easier for bicyclists to use.
• Brand-new pedestrian bridge.
• New curbing and sidewalk near the bridge.
• Additional drainage to improve run-off.
• Elimination of the bridge’s middle pier to reduce likelihood of clogged debris and flooding.
• Construction of a fish ladder which gives migrating fish a detour route to swim upstream.
• New pavement and repaved markings on portions of Davis Avenue near the bridge.
• Utilities better hidden from public view.
“We are pleased that the Davis Avenue Bridge reopened on schedule and in time for students returning back to school,” said DPW Deputy Commissioner Jim Michel.
“The reopening of this bridge will make travel easier for residents that are commuting to work and school, or those who use this road for recreational purposes,” Mr. Michel added.
Construction plans were prepared by Alfred Benesch & Company, of Glastonbury, CT and the contractor for this project is A. Vitti Excavators, LLC of Stamford, CT. Town of Greenwich Department of Public Works Senior Civil Engineer, Jason Kaufman, is the project manager for the Davis Avenue Bridge replacement project.
The Department of Public Works is committed to providing a variety of services that are of vital importance to the town and residents of Greenwich, CT. This includes but is not limited to highway/roadway maintenance, sewer upkeep, stormwater management, waste disposal and recycling, building inspection and the improvement of public infrastructure.