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

• Pile cap curb installation.
• Roadway paving.

Town of East Haddam

• Roadway paving.

Bridge:

 

Spans 3 & 4 (Swing Span)

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

Piers 2 & 3

• Submarine cable anchor/troughs install.

Control House

• Infrastructure rehab.
• Swing Testing.

Machinery Room

• Infrastructure rehab.

Nightime Work:

Bridge:

• Deck replacement.
• Miscellaneous steel repairs.

Vehicular Advisory:

63-Hour Bridge Closure:

• There will be a 63-hour bridge closure this week. Closure begins Sunday (5/5) at 8pm, bridge reopens Wednesday (5/8) at 11am

Overnight Bridge Closures:

• The contractor will be performing overnight bridge closures this week as follows:
  • Wed. night into Thur. morning – 11pm to 6am
  • Thur. night into Fri. morning – 11pm to 6am
  • Fri. night into Sat. morning – 11:30pm to 8am

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

Detour Info:

Motorist alternative options to cross the Connecticut River during these 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).

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.

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:

Mariners are advised that the Swing Bridge opening schedule for 5/5 through 5/11 will be as follows:

• Sunday at 10am, 2pm, and 5pm.
• Monday NO openings.
• Tuesday NO openings.
• Wednesday NO openings.
• Thursday at 10am and 2pm.
• Friday at 10am, 2pm, and 5pm.
• Saturday 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 contractor is still working through the testing stages of the new mechanicals on the swing span so potential delays or openings being canceled could occur if technical issues arise during a swing attempt.

Additionally, 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 reinstalled the portion of suspended scaffolding that they had temporarily removed so that they can continue with their work efforts. They will be removing sections of scaffold this weekend in a new location so boats will have additional vertical clearance to pass.

Be advised that in the location where the contractor has removed their scaffolding, there is approximately 3 feet of additional clearance.

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. The tide board WEBCAM for monitoring the clearance can be viewed 24/7 from our project website homepage on Camera 3.

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]