Gold Star Bridge meeting set for Tuesday

— The state Department of Transportation is encouraging people to share their feedback during a meeting on the rehabilitation of the northbound span of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge, scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The meeting will be held at the Groton Municipal Building at 295 Meridian St. and on Zoom.

The meeting will be livestreamed on the Groton Municipal Television YouTube channel.

“This project will address existing bridge deterioration, increase the bridge’s load carrying capacity, and extend its service life,” DOT Project Manager Tracey Brais said in a statement.

According to the news release, the purpose is “to address the deficiencies of the deck and steel superstructure and to improve freight travel.”

“The project will increase the structural capacity of the bridge so that all legal, permit, and emergency vehicles can use the bridge, improve system safety, ensure long-term performance of the bridge, and continue to meet the traffic demands for the region,” according to the release.

The project will replace bridge components, including the deck, barriers, fencing, expansion joints, drainage system and overhead sign supports; strengthen steel; repair and replace bearings; repair and clean concrete; and construct and reconstruct approach slabs, among other steps.

The DOT said construction on the estimated $591.9 million project is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2025.

Information on how to access the Zoom meeting, which will be recorded, and how to submit comments is available at: https://portal.ct.gov/dot/ ctdot-press-releases/2024/ public-informational-rehabilitation-of-the-gold-star-memorial-bridge-in-new-london-and-groton.