Greenwich Dept of Public Works announcement on Frequently Asked Questions on the North Street Bridge Replacement Project
The North Street Bridge, Bridge No. 056‐047, traversing West Brothers Brook is scheduled to be replaced starting in the spring of 2025. DPW has compiled this FAQ list which includes a list of common questions received to date from the public. This list will be updated as needed.
Please visit the Town project webpage that is specifically about this project for future updates.
GENERAL QUESTIONS:
Q.) Why do we need this project?
A.) The existing North Street Bridge was built in 1909 and rebuilt in 1950. In the 2018
inspection, the bridge was rated in FAIR condition. A more recent inspection completed in 2022 rated the bridge in CRITICAL condition which prompted emergency repairs and posted a 4‐ton weight restriction. An additional inspection was completed following the emergency repairs, which recommended a full replacement of the structure. DPW immediately solicited proposals for engineering services for a full replacement.
Q.) What will happen if this bridge is not replaced? What impact would it have to delay this project for another 2‐years?
A.) Due to the CRITICAL rating of the bridge, if nothing is done, the bridge may be required to be posted for closure in one or both directions.
Q.) What changes to the project would be proposed if state funding was not involved?
A.) The Town is utilizing the CT Dept of Transportati9on Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program funding. This program funds 100% of the construction costs. The Town is responsible for 100% of the design and permitting costs. As part of the funding, there are no specific requirements that would change the design of the project.
Q.) Will the bridge be designed to carry appropriate tonnage?
A.) Yes, the new bridge will be capable of carrying all vehicles that are present on standard roadways.
Q.) How will the North Street Bridge project be scheduled keeping in mind the replacement of the Route 1 bridge adjacent to Hillside Road?
A.) The latest schedule we have received from the State of Connecticut indicated that their plans are to start utility relocations in the Fall of 2025 with the full bridge replacement in the Spring of 2026. DPW plans to commence the replacement of the North Street Bridge in the Spring of 2025. DPW will maintain alternating 1‐way traffic at all times during the project.
Q.) Will a wetlands permit be required for this project?
A.) Yes, a wetlands permit will be obtained through the Town of Greenwich Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency. An application has been submitted and scheduled to be on their agenda for Monday, August 26, 2024.
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PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT QUESTIONS:
Q.) Delineate the location of the project’s current updates and location of full timeline.
A.) The Department of Public Works maintains a project webpage which includes a full timeline, located here.
Q.) Describe how the general community will be updated and in what time frame.
A.) DPW has a communications specialist on staff who completes outreach on all DPW projects.
As applied during similar projects over the last several years, our outreach when completing major construction projects is to:
a. Maintain updates on the project webpage
b. Provide notification and updates to Police, Fire GEMS, Schools
c. Include updates in the First Selectman’s Community Connections newsletter
d. Press releases sent to press contacts at Greenwich Time, Greenwich Free Press Greenwich Sentinel, and Radio
e. Upload a website banner on DPW and Town’s main webpage
f. Send out DPW newsflash and announcements on DPW social media while tagging TOG, GPD, GFD
Q.) What communication has there been with major traffic generators in the surrounding area, such as public and private schools, Greenwich hospital, local religious centers?
A.) All schools in the vicinity have been contacted including: Superintendent of Greenwich Public Schools, Assistant to the Deputy Superintendent, Principal of Greenwich High School, Principal of North Street School, Head of School at Greenwich Academy, Assistant to the Head of School at Greenwich Academy, Head of School at Greenwich Catholic School, Head of School at Greenwich Country Day School, Head of School at Brunswick School.
HYDRAULIC QUESTIONS:
Q.) Will the larger span of the bridge lead to increased flooding downstream?
A.) A temporary structure will be installed upstream of the bridge that mimics the span and opening of the current bridge. This structure will stay in place and will only allow the same amount of water through as existing conditions, once modifications can be made downstream this temporary structure can be removed.
Q.) What would be the cost to improve the conditions downstream of the North Street Bridge to allow for the complete removal of the proposed upstream temporary restriction and what other factors would play a role in that process?
A.) FEMA regulations do not permit a negative impact downstream as a result of the project, therefore a restriction is proposed adjacent to the new bridge to mimic existing conditions. The Town’s consultant, CDM Smith, has completed additional modeling and is preparing a report with recommendations for improvements downstream of the North Street Bridge with associated costs so that in the future the restriction may be removed.
The report is anticipated to be completed in the next 6 months. Simultaneously, DPW will present these recommendations to the Flood and Erosion Control Board, so that these improvements may be added to the already existing Stormwater Capital Improvement Projects Prioritization Ranking Sheet.
AESTHETIC OF THE BRIDGE QUESTIONS:
Q.) Will this bridge maintain the current look? What are you doing to make the bridge
aesthetically pleasing/match the existing?
A.) The bridge will be designed to look and feel the same as the current bridge with ashlar stone parapet as well as trail and leading guiderails at all 4‐corners. The bridge will be elevated with the pavement tapered to match the surrounding area.
TRAFFIC IMPACT QUESTIONS:
Q.) With North Street being a major route for emergency vehicles, schools, and commuters how will traffic be affected by the bridge project?
A.) As required by Emergency Services, one lane of the bridge will remain open during the project and a temporary traffic signal will be utilized so that alternating 1‐way traffic can flow 24/7 without the need for police or uniformed flaggers. The temporary signal will include preemption which allows immediate passage of emergency vehicles.
Q.) Explain the reasoning why an official detour plan is not published to direct people around the construction.
A.) As the road is remaining open during this construction a detour plan is not applicable, furthermore people who wish to avoid the alternating 1‐way traffic at the construction zone will naturally find alternative routes that best fit their commutes. Traffic GPS applications such as Waze, Google Maps, etc. will be notified by DPW of the construction at this location and will filter traffic accordingly.
Q.) Why hasn’t a traffic study been conducted? What is DPW doing to monitor traffic?
A.) A traffic study is conducted when there is a change in use, for example a parcel conversion from residential to commercial, so that the additional trips generated can be evaluated. In the case of bridge construction, trip generation is not proposed to change. The proposed signal which will serve the purpose of alternating 1‐way traffic is currently being designed and proposed to match the timing of the signalized intersection located just north at the intersection of Fairfield/Parsonage. Traffic is proposed to be maintained, not diverted, or detoured. DPW has set up traffic counters and cameras at various locations around the proposed project site to collect existing traffic counts and compare conditions during construction. DPW will work with the GPD Traffic Section to be sure that speed control is enforced.
Q.) How much traffic increase would be anticipated as a result of this project?
A.) DPW does not anticipate a change to the traffic as a result of this project. The temporary alternating 1‐way traffic signal is being designed to match the timing of the traffic signal at the North Street/Fairfield/Parsonage intersection. No additional traffic generators are anticipated.
Q.) Where will the temporary traffic signal be located?
A.) The proposed temporary traffic signal will include a signal head for MacPherson Drive as well as Cotswood Road.
Q.) Has DPW looked at adding a temporary bridge instead of an alternating 1‐way traffic signal?
A.) Given the private property line constraints of North Street, adjacent bridges were not an option.
CONSTRUCTION DURATION QUESTIONS:
Q.) What is the estimated time for the project to be in construction?
A.) The total estimated time of construction for this project is 18‐24 months with heavy
construction taking place during summer months. Utility relocations will be done prior to traffic pattern changes. The construction involves a phased approach to maintain 1‐way alternating traffic, with rebuilding the foundations, maintaining water flow and building a new foundation, all while maintaining traffic, which is a requirement of emergency services.
Q.) Why can’t a full road closure be used to shorten the construction time.
A.) After meeting with the emergency services departments that operate in the Town of
Greenwich it was made clear that the road must remain open to maintain emergency response given that North Street is a Principal Arterial Roadway.
Q.) If the construction is going to take 18 months, then shouldn’t the contractor work 24/7 to complete the project sooner?
A.) There are many factors that contribute to what days and hours the contractor works. These can include but are not limited to union agreements, material curing times, and utility company coordination. Consideration is also given to the proximity to residential homes and the impact caused by noise and night lighting related to construction.
Q.) Explain what DPW has done to minimize the construction duration?
A.) During the preliminary design phase, several structures were reviewed with ABC
(Accelerated Bridge Construction) selected as the final option. ABC means that the major structural units of the bridge are constructed elsewhere (Pre‐cast) prior to the demolition of the existing and then the units are delivered and placed by crane. This saves time by avoiding the set up/removal of forms, time to place rebar and concrete pouring (Cast in place), which is very time consuming. While ABC with Pre‐cast units is more costly, it is the most time saving option.
Cast in place is more cost effective, and it was contemplated, but would be more time consuming. The construction of a cast in place structure in the same phased manner would take approximately 24‐30 months to complete.
See also:
Residents Share Strong Concerns about Traffic during North St Bridge Replacement
April 10, 2024
DPW drainage meeting addresses challenges for residents “at the bottom of the bathtub”
Jan 22, 2023