April 3, 2025

CT Construction Digest Thursday April 3, 2025

Retaining Walls, Earthwork Enable DOT to Raise Section of I-95 in Conn.

Chuck MacDonald

Interstate 95 runs through the southern section of Connecticut, often within sight of Long Island Sound. This important freeway connects New York City and its vital commerce with Boston in the north and the rest of New England.

In East Lyme, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has undertaken a major construction project at Exit 74 where the interstate travels over Route 161. The project will improve sightlines, make the road safer for travelers and ease congestion.

CTDOT plans to have the project completed by 2027 at the cost of nearly $150 million. By the completion of the project, I-95 northbound and southbound will have a new look. The northbound and southbound lanes will be raised approximately 14 ft. from their original position on the west side of Route 161 and cut approximately 10 ft. on the east side.

Contractors are achieving these changes through the construction of temporary earth retaining systems (TERS). Andrew M. Millovitsch, project engineer, is overseeing the project for CTDOT. To create the 16 retaining walls necessary for the project, workers needed to pulverize a massive ledge with explosives. Each blast required a full closure of I-95. Manafort Brothers was the general contractor for the project and worked closely with additional contractors on the job.

The blasts enabled workers to remove 60,000 cu. yds. of material to make way for a new retaining wall adjacent to I-95 northbound. The construction team experienced a major setback when a soil nail wall failed to hold, costing the team two months. The team accelerated the work for five months to bring the project back on schedule. The project is now 50 percent complete.

The contractor is building extended lanes for both acceleration and deceleration for the interchange ramps. The team also is constructing a 6-ft. raised median and 12-ft. shoulders for both north and southbound traffic.

"We have had some existing soil conditions that have proved challenging," said Millovitsch. "The newly constructed roadway will provide safe areas in the median to handle breakdowns. Drivers will have better sightlines to view the traffic they are driving in and have flatter slopes to improve stopping distances. Also, the new overpass will allow for safer clearance for motorists on Route 161."

As the 2025 construction season opens, workers will shift traffic onto the recently constructed travel lanes and over Route 161. An additional TERS will be constructed closer to the southbound traffic.

"At that time, the northbound traffic will be brought to final grade and the next third of the bridge construction can take place between the north and southbound lanes," said Millovitsch.

Having a Blast

Blasting proved exciting not only for the construction team and onlookers but also had many practical benefits. A major obstacle was removed, and the remains from the blast were crushed and used for subbase for the road and for fill as part of the embankments. Both steel and asphalt were recycled as well. The project worked with environmental specialists to reestablish plantings and improve nearby wetlands, floodplains and streambeds.

The team plans to use approximately 80,000 tons of asphalt for the roads and 10,000 cu. yds. of concrete for precast items including drainage structures and retaining walls, as well as cast-in-place elements for the new Bridge No. 00250.

The construction team used a traditional fleet of equipment for the job including excavators, front loaders, cranes, paving machines and rollers. Construction teams are increasingly using technology to complete the jobs with greater precision and speed. The technology used for this job included 3D modeling, drone-assisted GPS survey equipment, geo-located software and "open road designer" to assist with placement of proper quantities of material.

CTDOT and contractors were careful to maintain safety both for workers and motorists. Because the work was done in stages, safety specialists were able to delineate work zones and keep the construction activity behind temporary barriers. The work team also used speed camera vehicles to slow down traffic and keep the work zone protected.

The I-95 East Lyme project has been both satisfying and challenging for Millovitsch and his team.

"The vertical realignment of I-95 was a complex challenge," he said. "This work has allowed us to improve the safety of a historically substandard piece of road. It has also been an area that is accident prone. We hope that will be improved as well." CEG.


Belimo withdraws $10M expansion plans at its Danbury headquarters to ‘evaluate alternative options’

 Rob Ryser

DANBURY – A multinational electrical equipment manufacturer that made headlines in February with $10 million plans to expand its westside headquarters has withdrawn its application to a city land use commission in order to redesign the blueprints.

“After further assessment, we have concluded that additional production capacity which would be made available from a plant expansion to the west will not be sufficient for our needs,” said James Furlong, president of Belimo Americas, in a statement to Hearst Connecticut Media Group. “Accordingly, we have withdrawn our application related to a westward expansion and have begun to evaluate alternative options.”

The westward expansion Furlong mentioned refers to the western side of the company’s plant on Turner Road, which sits on the New York border. Questions were raised during a public hearing about whether the company had enough setback space so as not to negatively impact its next-door neighbor in New York.

The 200,000-square-foot Danbury plant, which Belimo built on 34 hilltop acres in 2014, serves as the headquarters for its operations in Brazil, Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America and the United States.

Whether the Switzerland-based company comes back with an expansion plan similar to the 33,000-square-foot warehouse addition Belimo proposed in February remains to be seen.

Belimo did not provide further details about its search for an alternative expansion site in its statement to HCMG. Nor did the company mention the border dispute that arose during a February public hearing.

As far as Danbury City Hall is concerned, leaders say they “fully expect” Belimo to reapply for expansion permission.

“Belimo is committed to ensuring that their expansion here in Danbury lays the foundation for long-term success and accommodates all their needs,” said Farly Santos, Mayor Roberto Alves’ economic and community development adviser. “Mayor Alves and his administration stand ready to support their growth, fostering continued prosperity for both Belimo and our community.”

A leading City Council member agreed.

“Belimo is a large multinational organization,” said Paul Rotello. “I can’t imagine a relatively minor (border dispute) issue is to going to derail them. I hope the parties reach an accommodation.”

Peter Olson, a Bethel land use attorney who represents the New York landowner, said he had no comment on Belimo’s withdrawal.

Withdrawals by a developer often signal the end of investment plans. Sometimes the withdrawals are accompanied by specific reasons and sometimes not. Other times, as in Belimo’s case, withdrawals signal a developer’s need to adjust plans.

Belimo’s withdrawal is the latest in a series of recent decisions by developers to drop their applications in Danbury.

In July, an investor withdrew $10 million plans to build a regional car leasing hub on Backus Avenue after its attorney warned city land use leaders that they were being “anti-business” in their review of a requested zone change.

In 2023, a Danbury-based development company pulled its plans to renovate an office building on south Main Street into 200 apartments after a dispute with the city over sewer capacity.

Also in 2023, a New York moving company withdrew its plans to build a 200,000-square-foot warehouse next to the sprawling westside office complex known as the Summit after an outpouring of organized opposition from residents of the nearby Reserve neighborhood.

Belimo’s plans were the latest in a surge of investment in Danbury’s westside, which leads the city in economic growth.

In addition to a total of 537 housing units that are either approved, under construction or built – and the likelihood of 200 more apartments being approved at a defunct hotel at Interstate 84’s Exit 2 – a $96 million proton therapy cancer treatment facility is scheduled to break ground in the summer, and a $39 million rehabilitation hospital is expected to open in September.


Amazon eyes property on Waterbury-Naugatuck line for 650,000-square-foot distribution center

Andreas Yilma

WATERBURY — The city wants to sell 17.3 acres to Amazon as the e-commerce giant moves ahead with its plan to build a massive distribution center in the South End. 

The city will hold an April 21 hearing on its proposal to sell the undeveloped property at 305 Great Hill Road and 0 Sheridan Drive to Amazon.com Services LLC for $325,000.

Most residents who spoke at a hearing last fall were against Amazon's plan to build a 650,000-square-foot distribution center in the industrial park on land straddling the Waterbury-Naugatuck town line. 

The proposed land to be sold is broken into two parcels — 16.5 acres at 305 Great Hill Road and 0.8 acres at 0 Sheridan Drive. Waterbury owns both parcels of land although they are both in Naugatuck, Waterbury City Planner Bob Nerney said. 

The access to the proposed development is going to be by way of Naugatuck roads specifically, Sheridan Drive and Great Hill Road and the city initially was going to grant an easement over these two properties to allow for one of the driveways to access the main property," Nerney said. "The request now is in lieu of burdening the property with an easement, it would be a direct sale of the property to Amazon.com Services." 

Project developer Bluewater Property Group has proposed a 650,000-square-foot, 106-foot tall, multi-floor retail distribution center on the Naugatuck -Waterbury line in the area of 0 Great Hill Road and 0 Sheridan Drive on about 183 acres. It's divided up to about 114 acres in the city and roughly 69 acres in the borough.  

Bluewater Property Group Vice President Christina Bernard told residents at that fall hearing the distribution center will operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year and would create 500 to 1,000 permanent jobs. She said the project would create 300 jobs during the construction, estimated to take about 24 to 30 months.

The land use process has moved ahead in Waterbury and Naugatuck.  

The Naugatuck Inland Wetlands Commission gave its approval in November and a month later the borough's Zoning Commission approved the architectural rendering and the special permit application with several conditions. 

Waterbury Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission also gave an approval late last year. The city's Zoning Commission issued a zoning permit on Jan. 17.  

The Naugatuck Zoning Commission approved at its March 26 meeting a $1.8 million bond to be given to the Naugatuck Land Use office. The bond is to cover several areas which include landscaping, trees, a sound wall, temporary detention basin/stormwater systems, soil, erosion and sediment control, the road widening at the Great Hill Road and Sheridan Drive intersection and silk fencing. 

Amazon has already paid $4.8 million for an 8.5-acre, industrially zoned property at 193 Sheridan Drive in August 2022 in the borough, according to the property card. 

The city has hired Tighe & Bond, an engineering firm, to help manage the approval process and Naugatuck land use officials have used the services of the firm as well.

Nerney said Waterbury has been coordinating with all the Naugatuck agencies involved in the project. 

"You're dealing with a large single structure that's physically located in both municipalities," Nerney said. "To ensure that it's given its proper review and inspections that will follow." 


Norwich Public Utilities continuing to replace gas lines

Daniel Drainville

Norwich — Norwich Public Utilities and private crews are continuing work to replace gas lines throughout the city.

Over the last few years, NPU has been awarded two grants totaling $20.9 million to replace the "aging and leak-prone" lines with more than 9 miles of new lines, constructed from high-density polyethylene, an NPU release said. That project includes installing new mains and services and repaving roads.

The first phase of the work began in October 2024, with pipeline replacement along Asylum Street, from Grant Court to West Main Street, where NPU is now tying in service lines. When that work is complete, the road will be resurfaced, NPU said.

Meanwhile, work for 2025 began recently with the installation of gas mains along Franklin Street and McKinley Avenue. Work will continue in the following locations: North Main Street from Burnham Square to Boswell Avenue; Boswell Avenue along North Main Street to St. Regis Avenue; and along Fourth Street, from North Main Street to Central Avenue.

Once that work is complete, NPU and contractor crews will begin in the area adjacent to Norwich Free Academy, along Rockwell and Crescent streets. That work will be done during the summer to minimize the impact on traffic.

NPU General Manager Chris LaRose said NPU has been pleased with the progress so far, and that it anticipates "even more safe and productive work through the fall."

Older natural gas pipes, NPU said, are more likely to cause safety issues if they break, and are more likely to leak methane into the air.

"These improvements will make our natural gas system safer while reducing leaks that can impact air quality in our community," Riley said. "These investments will pay benefits for years to come."