DOT to conduct road work in East Hampton

EAST HAMPTON — The state Department of Transportation is announcing the scheduled closure and detour of Route 66 (East High Street) for a replacement of the existing box culvert carrying Pocotopaug Creek that crosses Route 66 in front of the American Distillery building.

Work will also occur between the Subway building and Classic Auto on the south side, according to a press release.

Traffic on Route 66 will be detoured beginning on July 23 for approximately two weeks.

The project consists of removing the old concrete box culvert structure and concrete endwalls and replacing them with a new reinforced concrete box culvert, which is seven feet high and 11 feet wide, including new endwalls and wingwalls, the news release said.

Utilities have been temporarily relocated, and will be returned to their original location once the new structure is in place.

The existing pavement will be replaced between the project limits of roughly the Belltown Smoke Shop and Classic Auto properties, according to the town.

DOT Project No. 00410118 was awarded to Mizzy Construction of Plainville, with an estimated cost of $2.4 million, Feb. 9, and is scheduled for completion Oct. 9.

A well-signed detour will be in place to guide motorists around the construction.

A truck route is included with the detour to ease local congestion.

Prior to, and after, the Route 66 closure, motorists can expect alternating one-way traffic on Route 66 on a periodic basis to minimize the duration of the road closure to maximum extent possible, the release said.

Uniformed traffic persons, municipal police, and signing patterns will be used to direct traffic through the work zone during these times and while the contractor is actively working

Motorists are advised to remain alert and to use caution when driving through work zones.

Hearst Connecticut Media file photo East Hampton