At the Thursday, Jan 9 Selectmen meeting DPW civil engineer Finton Sweeney and newly promoted Dept of Public Works commissioner Jim Michel presented a plan for a 12-week road closure over the summer during the North Street Bridge replacement project, along with an accompanying detour.
DPW commissioner Jim Michel and DPW civil engineer Finton Sweeney Sweeney presented to the Board of Selectmen on Jan 9, 2025
The bridge was originally built in 1909 and rebuilt in 1950. After the last inspection on March 7, 2022, the bridge was deemed in critical condition. This resulted in emergency repairs and the hiring of WMC Consulting Engineers to create a preliminary bridge design.
About 7,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily, and many of the vehicles are heavy trucks exceeding the 4-ton weight limit on the bridge.
Mr. Sweeney said the bridge replacement involves pre-cast NEXT beams on top of cast-in-place concrete foundation and micro-piles. In addition there will be catch basin work, manhole work, paving on portions of North St, pavement markings and various other improvements.
The detour is in total 2.7 miles and includes North St, Fairfield Rd, Old Church Rd , East Putnam, North Maple Ave and the detour is proposed for both directions.
The detour plan was designed by WMC Consulting Engineers and has been approved by the Dept of Transportation.
Many factors were taken into consideration in planning the detour, including accommodating large trucks and emergency vehicles.
“We understand that people familiar with the area will be using other routes around the area, this is just the detour for all vehicles,” Mr. Sweeney said. “There are obviously shorter routes.”
The project was originally supposed to take 1-1/2 years, alternative one-way with a temporary signal, however the public was not in favor of that plan.
The DPW instead pivoted to a 12-week road closure during the summer months to shorten the timeline as much as possible.
Sweeney said conversations had taken place with police, fire and GEMS and they agreed this plan was most favorable.
Full closure is limited to 12 week period
The proposed construction is anticipated to take 10 months in total, but during the flanking months of the 12 week full closure they will be alternating one-way with a police presence during work hours, at night the road will be open.
Work hours Monday-Friday, from 7:00am to 6:00pm, and Saturdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
Mr. Sweeney said a noise exemption had already been requested and approved because the work will run outside typical town work hours.
Sweeney said as the construction progresses, the DPW plans to use social media and the project website to communicate updates.
Mr. Michel said there were at least two well-attended public meetings (Oct 9 and April 9, 2024). The second meeting featured the proposed detour presented on Thursday.
“The feedback was very positive in relation to the road closure versus the longer iteration of the project,” commissioner Michel said.
“One of the things we are including in the contract is some temporary traffic calming measures that we can implement as needed, in the event we start seeing people not behaving well on some of the side roads or the detour route itself,” he added. “We’ll have additional signage and variable message boards – flashing signs – and potentially we can even put in temporary speed humps in some of the smaller surrounding areas if people start using them for cut-throughs.”
Variance to Noise Ordinance
Ms Stone McGuigan asked why the Selectmen weren’t approached about the exemption to the noise ordinance, given that noise ordinance is under the purview of the Selectmen.
“We don’t vote on it?” Stone McGuigan said.
First Selectman Camillo’s executive assistant Ken Borsuk said the new process for noise exemptions was to run them through the town administrator’s office.
The Selectmen agreed to wait until their next meeting to have a second read and vote on the proposed road closure and detour.
Anticipate Project Timeline
Complete Final Design – Fall 2024
Advertise Construction to Bid — Winter 2024/25
Award Contract and Procure Materials—Winter 2025
Start Construction — Spring 2025
Complete Construction – Winter 2025/26
See also:
Residents Share Strong Concerns about Traffic during North St Bridge Replacement
April 10, 2024
“Catastrophe about to Happen” – Neighbors Demand a New Plan for North St Bridge Project
Sept 12, 2024
