A new bridge on Route 57 over the Saugatuck River on Weston has opened.
What’s unusual about the project was that the span over the river used “Bridge-in-a-Backpack” technology. No, not the kind of backbacks kids take to school or the one used to hike the backcountry. The title more describes the technique that allows the bridge to be replaced in weeks, not months. That not only saved money, but greatly reduces the time traffic is affected.
The original bridge, built in 1933, had been classified as “structurally deficient” and has an average of 9,100 vehicles crossing per day.
The project used no steel beams or heavy construction equipment. Instead, it prefabricated, fiber reinforced polymer tubes with concrete. DOT says “the fiber reinforced polymer decking panels, which forms the arch, and are covered with subbase material, pavement and cast-in-place moment slabs with barrier curb. he composite shell provides a protective barrier that keeps out road salt, chemicals and moisture, which eventually penetrate and degrade conventional bridges.”
Precast concrete block retaining walls were also used at all four corners of the structure to help speed construction. Route 57 was also widened to accommodate a 12-foot travel lane and 5-foot shoulder/bike lane in each direction.
“Reducing construction time results in cost savings, and this is one of the many quick-building design and construction methods that CTDOT have in our toolbox,” Commissioner James Redeker, said in a release. “Our goal is to not only restore our infrastructure to a state of good repair, we are also striving to save taxpayer money and minimize disturbances to the traveling public by cutting down the time it typically takes to replace a bridge.”
To view a video of the fast bridge construction, click HERE
Rte. 8/25 lane closures planned in $35M project
BRIDGEPORT - The next stage of work on the $35 million rehabilitation and replacement of four, heavily-used Route 8/25 bridges will caused some overnight lane closures this week. The closures are needed to establish lane shifts so work can proceed on the bridge that carries Route 8/25 over Capitol Avenue and Lindley Street.
Overall, the bridges, with eight separate northbound and southbound spans, are over Capitol Avenue, Lindley Street and a parking lot.
Lane closures, from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. will continue through Friday morning.. Once established, these lane shifts will remain in place for approximately 30 days, with normal lane configurations being re-established on or about Dec. 2.
Lane closure information
Motorists traveling southbound on Routes 8/25 can expect lane closures between the Route 8/25 merge and Exit 3 (Main Street). Motorists traveling northbound on the Route 8/25 connector can expect lane closures between Exit 2 (Lafayette Square) and Exit 5 (Boston Avenue). Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will be utilized to guide motorists through the work zone.
Segments of the following routes will be impacted by this project: Routes 8/25 in Bridgeport. Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this vicinity. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Utility company leases Lee Farm property
DANBURY — Residents driving along Park Avenue may have seen a lot of construction activity recently along the Lee Farm property that many locals affectionately call the pasture.
Hal Kurfehs, vice president of Bethel-based Coldwell Banker Commercial Scalzo Group, confirmed this week that officials with Spectra Energy have leased about 12 acres of the property as part of the company’s planned expansion of the Algonquin gas transmission line.
Officials with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved a near $1 billion expansion of the line from Boston to New York earlier this year , including a portion of the line that runs along Mill Plain Road in Danbury.
Kurfehs said the utility company is planning to use the Lee Farm property as a staging area for its equipment during the construction phase of the project. The company has leased the property for about two years. He stressed that as part of the deal, the company has agreed to return the property to farm land at the end of the lease.
The property is part of about 300 acres known locally as Lee Farm for the dairy farm that used to operate on the site. Residents came out in droves to protect the property about four years ago when the military purchased about 17 acres for $4.3 million. Construction was completed last fall on a regional U.S. Army Reserve training facility on the property.
Kurfehs said that while the family that owns Lee Farm routinely gets proposals from developers, they are “very particular about what they would like to see there.”
Past proposals for the property that were rejected by the family, he said, included a sports complex, an assisted-living facility and an automotive maintenance and repair facility. The developable land in the property is largely zoned for industrial use.
Middletown voters pass $48 million sewer, parks referendums
MIDDLETOWN >> Voters Tuesday overwhelmingly passed one of two ballot referendums.
The sewer bond tally was 5,232 in favor to 2,162 opposed, and the parks bond was narrowly approved 3890-3592 on Tuesday’s ballot, projects totalling some $48 million.
The $33.45 million parks ordinance will fund the construction of new exclusively grass fields, renovations of other sports fields, and other amenities such as a dog park, a new pool at Veterans Park, a new dock at the boathouse, and a splash pad for children.
The second asks for an additional $15 million to complete the city’s connection to the Mattabassett Sewer District. Initial estimates came up woefully short for the project.
In an October letter to the editor, majority leader Tom Serra urged citizens to vote yes on the sewer project referendum.
“These monies will be eligible for EPA and DEEP grants and low-cost loans. Successfully completing this project will allow us to finally decommission our River Road sewer plant and proceed to develop our riverfront,” he wrote.
The turf issue was not without controversy, with residents speaking up for and against artificial field surfaces.
At the September common council meeting, a 5-5 vote approved an amendment proposed by Deputy Majority Leader Mary Bartolotta to strike any references to synthetic turf. Mayor Dan Drew broke the tie in favor of her amendment. CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE
Construction starts at Borghesi business park along Route 44
NEW HARTFORD >> Construction has begun at a business park along Route 44 being built by Torrington developer Allan Borghesi.
Borghesi is developing a four-lot Pine Meadow Business Park on 13.51 acres of land at 183 Main St. (Route 44), west of the Marandino’s Plaza. The land was formerly part of an approximately 180-acre parcel owned by members of the Canton-based Bahre family, under the name New Hartford Market Place, LLC. In August, the New Hartford Planning and Zoning Commission approved subdividing the land, as well as the construction of a 20,000-square-foot warehouse intended for vehicle storage. Earlier this month, Borghesi bought the land for $500,000, according to town records, and in turn sold the approximate 55-acre “Satan’s Kingdom” property, which straddles the New Hartford/Canton town line to New Hartford Marketplace for $700,000.
Borghesi had originally proposed an industrial park on the Satan’s Kingdom property.
There were both opponents and supporters at a New Hartford Planning and Zoning Commission hearing in New Hartford, but the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission, in June 2104, approved a change of 18.47 acres from residential to commercial. Borghesi sought a similar change for approximately 30 acres in Canton but met with increased resistance. While some supported it, opponents were vocal, sending letters, creating signs and creating a Save Satan’s Kingdom Facebook page. Borghesi eventually withdrew the application and on Thursday said the New Hartford project, while smaller in scope, accomplishes his goal. “It provides me the opportunity to build the buildings,” he said. “They’re going to benefit from the tax income and job potential.” CLICK TITLE TO CONTINUE