The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Work to begin in spring on $58.2M project
Goal: 20% reduction in the span’s cycle time
EAST HADDAM — The state will launch a two-year, $58.2 million project next spring to overhaul the 108-yearold East Haddam Swing Bridge, which carries Route 82 over the Connecticut River, connecting the town center to neighboring Haddam.
Construction is estimated to take approximately two-and-a-half years — from spring 2022 through fall 2024.
The structure, dedicated in 1913, totals about 885 feet in length, Supervising Engineer Derick Lessard said during last week’s Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce Haddam & East Haddam Division meeting. At the time it was built, the bridge was believed to be the largest of its kind.
The structure, dedicated in 1913, totals about 885 feet in length, Supervising Engineer Derick Lessard said during last week’s Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce Haddam & East Haddam Division meeting. At the time it was built, the bridge was believed to be the largest of its kind.
The state Department of Transportation initiative is intended to improve safety and access, as well as operations for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists traveling on Route 82.
“Improvements include a major rehabilitation of the bridge to extend service life, improve roadway rideability for traveling public, and improve swing span operation reliability,” according to the project’s website.
“We will have some hangups,” Chamber President Larry McHugh said at the meeting, calling it a “very, very important” project. “There will be some hangups and problems,” he said, but, “we will work those problems out.”
The project manager said DOT is taking into consideration surrounding businesses that will be impacted by the work. A residential driveway at Little Meadow Road and Route 82 will be used for equipment staging, so the DOT will be building another on the southern part of the homeowner’s property, Lessard said.
Boat traffic presently flows under span three, he said. “There are times during this process when the navigation channel will have to be closed,” he said, at which time, vessels will temporarily cross under span four.
Smaller boats that can fit under the span without the bridge needing to pivot will be allowed to pass at all times, the project manager said.
Part of the work will be conducted during peak boating season, Lessard said, however, “we’re always going to have a means for boats to go through.”
The project calls for floor beam and deck replacements on span one and two, bearing and joint replacements, substructure repairs, a full replacement of the electrical system, and upgrading the mechanical system, which will make the swing operation “more viable,” he said.
Also, a 6-foot sidewalk will be added on the southern side of the bridge.
Lessard anticipates there will be a 20 percent reduction in the swing span “cycle” time once construction is complete.
Advance warning signs will be posted in the surrounding area, including at the intersection of routes 151 and 82, as well as 82 and 54, he said.
At least 14 days’ notice of closures will be given for any construction. Like on the Arrigoni Bridge, there will be alternating one-way traffic 24 hours a day during this period, he said. Work will continue throughout the year, even during the winter. Detour routes will be designated.
The DOT will communicate with Google Maps and Waze so closures are picked up on GPS, Lessard said..
Increasing the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry operation hours to circumvent construction is under review. The proposed plan is to have the vessel in service Monday to Friday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and extending the season to March through December, weather permitting.
Those with questions can email DOTProject40-141@ct.gov, or Lessard at Derick.Lessard@ct.gov. For up-todate information, follow East Haddam Swing Bridge Project on Facebook, CTDOT_EHaddamBridge on Twitter and go to easthaddamswingbridgeproject.com.