Bridge project to close part of Route 154 for months

OLD SAYBROOK — Officials say a portion of Route 154 will be closed for months as the Plum Bank Creek bridge is replaced, causing traffic to be detoured and a massive roadblock for pedestrians and cyclists.

State Sen. Norm Needleman, D-Essex, said the replacement of the bridge, which is part of Route 154, is expected to start Monday and last until May 31.

“This project consists of a full replacement of the bridge, with construction seeing the existing bridge reconstructed with precast substructure elements and pre-stressed concrete deck units to form the bridge deck,” he said. “Overhead utilities relocated last season will be permanently relocated and a 12-inch water main will be installed.”

Needleman also advised drivers on where detours will take them.

“Drivers traveling north are asked to continue south of the bridge on Route 154 for 0.9 miles, then turn left onto Maple Avenue and continue for 1.3 miles. They should then turn left on Main Street, continuing half a mile, then left onto Old Boston Road for 0.7 miles. Finally, they should turn left again onto Route 154 and follow for 1.1 miles,” he said.

“Drivers traveling south are asked to continue north of the bridge for 1.1 miles, turn right onto Old Boston Post Road and travel 0.7 miles to Main Street. After traveling another half-mile, they should turn right onto Maple Avenue, then continue for 1.3 miles until Route 154 is reached. Finally, they should turn right and follow Route 154 for 0.9 miles,” he said.

Needleman said the project is slated to be completed by July 30.

Old Saybrook First Selectman Carl Fortuna said the state has classified the bridges as being in poor condition.

“The detour for motor vehicles is not particularly burdensome,” he said.

Fortuna said the real impact of the closure would be on cyclists, runners and walkers, because the road is going to be closed.

“That is a huge recreation loop for those folks,” he said. “For people who live in that area, or for school bus drivers, they’ll just have to go around to Maple Avenue. It really isn’t a big detour. It’s a five- or 10-minute detour. For our recreational crowd out there, it’s going to have a huge impact.”

In addition to the Plum Bank Creek bridge, Fortuna said, the Back River bridge will also be replaced. He said that project should take place either in the fall or spring 2022.

“(The state) is also calling for an 11-week closure of that bridge,” he said.

Fortuna said town officials asked the state not to do either replacement during the summer, when Old Saybrook’s population nearly doubles with renters. He said town officials also asked for a full road closure in order to expedite the project.

“If you do a partial road closure, you’re talking like six months of one lane (traffic),” he said. “I am hopeful that this project will be done in two months, but who knows.”