East Haddam Swing Bridge Project

The Connecticut Department of Transportation advises the following construction activities for the upcoming week:

CREWS WILL BE WORKING ON THE FOLLOWING:

Daytime Work:

Roadway:

Town of Haddam

• Curb Installation.

Town of East Haddam

• Curb Installation.

Bridge:

 

Spans 3 & 4 (Swing Span)

• Deck replacement.
• Miscellaneous steel repairs.
• Bridge sidewalk installation.
•  Painting

Piers 2 & 3

• Infrastructure rehab.

Control House

• Infrastructure rehab.
• Swing Testing.

Nightime Work:

Bridge:

• Miscellaneous steel repairs.
•  Painting

Vehicular Advisory:

63-Hour Bridge Closure:

• There will be a 63-hour bridge closure this week. (Closure begins Sunday (4/14) at 8pm, bridge reopens Wednesday (4/17) at 11am)

Swing Span Testing:

• The contractor may occasionally perform a test opening of the new mechanicals of the swing span throughout this week. The contractor will work to limit traffic backups, but delays should be anticipated if a test occurs.

Overnight Bridge Closures:

• The contractor will be performing overnight bridge closures this week as follows:
  • Wed. night into Thur. morning – 11pm to 6am
  • Thurs. night into Fri. morning – 11pm to 6am

Any changes to this schedule will be communicated in a timely manner.

Detour Info:

Motorist alternative options to cross the Connecticut River during these overnight bridge closures will be as follows:

• Traveling to/from the South – Use the signed detour utilizing the Baldwin Bridge (I-95 Old Saybrook).

• Traveling to/from the North – utilize the Arrigoni Bridge (Middletown-Portland).

Lane Closures:

• Single lane closures on Route 82 will occur Wednesday through Friday from 9am-3pm within the project limits, traffic flaggers will coordinate the alternating traffic sequence.
• Both lanes will be reopened and operational during peak traffic hours.

Marine Advisory:

The Swing Bridge openings to mariners from April 1, 2024, through August 31, 2024 will be as follows:

• Monday through Thursday openings at 10am and 2pm.
• Friday through Sunday openings at 10am, 2pm, and 5pm.

During 63-hour bridge closures, the bridge will remain in the closed position, NO OPENINGS for boats will occur. (CLICK HERE to review closure calendar)

Mariners are advised that on weeks when 63-hour bridge closures occur, the Swing Bridge openings will be as follows:

• Monday through Wednesday NO openings.
• Thursday openings at 10am and 2pm.
• Friday through Sunday openings at 10am, 2pm, and 5pm.

Inclement weather and other unforeseen circumstances have the potential to impact the actual dates of these 63-hour closures. A mariner notice will be issued at least 24-hours prior to the start of a cancellation.

Be advised that the swing span is still working through the testing stage for swinging, on days when gusts are 25 mph or higher, swing span openings will be canceled. Mariners intending to pass through the bridge are encouraged to monitor the wind forecast on their navigation day and call the bridge operator.

The contractor has temporarily removed a portion of their suspended scaffold to provide additional vertical clearance for boats that generally do not require the bridge to swing open to pass through.

The tide clearance board is recommended as the best reference for gauging clearance at time of passage, the board is located on the bulkhead at Goodspeed, it has been adjusted to reflect the vertical clearance to the contractor’s suspended scaffold. Be advised that there is approximately 3 feet of additional clearance in the location where the scaffold has been temporarily removed.

The bridge operator can be reached at 860-218-4973.

Please be advised:

• You can sign up for TEXT Alerts to receive notifications on bridge closures and re-openings, closure cancellations, and any emergency closures. To Opt-in, text the word SWINGBRIDGE to 888777. (Message and Data rates may apply). In addition to SMS messages, if you would like to receive Swing Bridge open/closed status notices via email or a voice call from Everbridge, please click here to enter the required information. Message and data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to Opt-out.
• Effective November 11, 2022, any trucks that exceed 16 tons are restricted from using the East Haddam Swing Bridge, until further notice. Routine enforcement by the Connecticut State Police and Department of Motor Vehicles will occur during this 16-ton restriction period.
• Project WEBCAMS for monitoring traffic conditions on the bridge (one on each side of the river) and tide board clearance for maritime are available 24/7, the camera feeds are viewable from our project website homepage.
• Road signage will alert drivers to lane closures in the construction area. Please pay attention to road signage, slow down, and stay safe!
• Access to local businesses and residents within the work zones will be maintained.
• Unforeseen circumstances have the potential to impact all scheduled construction activities.
• The construction work is currently on schedule.

If you have any questions related to construction, please send an e-mail to [email protected]