Submitted by Sara Mendillo, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce
(September 29, 2024) — American Bridge Company has scheduled work activities to occur at the Haddam/East Haddam Swing Bridge (Route 82) through December 2024. Be advised that while the contractor’s goal is to complete these construction activities on or ahead of schedule, unforeseen circumstances have the potential to impact their targeted dates for completion. Crews will be working on the following activities:
Bridge Work
• Control house rehab.
• Machinery room rehab.
• Generator house rehab.
• Spans 3 and 4 painting.
• Installation of bridge sidewalk.
• Bridge balancing and swing span mechanical/electrical operational testing.
• Substructure repair work.
• Platform installation on east abutment.
• Removal of suspended scaffolding.
Roadway Work
• Final paving on approaches.
• Final pavement markings.
• Removal of temporary signs.
• Installation of permanent signs.
• Site restoration & landscaping.
Demobilization
• Final cleanup of material storage areas and office sites.
• Remove security fencing.
• Remove temporary field office.
Traffic Flaggers
The contractor will continue utilizing traffic flaggers as needed between the hours of
9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Overnight Closures
If the contractor needs an overnight closure to perform work, the permissible hours
will be as follows:
• Sunday 10:00 p.m. to Monday 6:00 a.m.
• Monday 7:00 p.m. to Tuesday 6:00 a.m.
• Tuesday 7:00 p.m. to Wednesday 6:00 a.m.
• Wednesday 11:00 p.m. to Thursday 6:00 a.m.
• Thursday 11:00 p.m. to Friday 6:00 a.m.
• Friday 11:30 p.m. to Saturday 8:00 a.m.
• Saturday 11:30 p.m. to Sunday 8:00 a.m.
Be advised that the hours listed for Sunday through Tuesday would pertain only if a
63-hour closure were not occurring.
63-Hour Bridge Closures
The contractor anticipates utilizing the next few months to perform 63-hour bridge
closures to complete the bridge work. Closures may occur from Sunday at 8:00 p.m. to
Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. A two-week notice will be provided in advance of any 63-hour
closure.
Maritime Advisory
Boaters are advised that the bridge is currently opening for tall recreational
vessels between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (daily) on the hour only. After an 8:00 p.m. opening (if required), the bridge will not open for tall vessels until 6:00 a.m. the following morning.
On days when wind gusts are 25 mph or higher, swing span openings will be cancelled. Mariners intending to pass through the bridge are encouraged to monitor the wind forecast on their navigation day and call the bridge operator. 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, and it has been set to indicate 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 that this phone number is designated for marine use only).. During any 63-hour bridge closure, the bridge will remain in the closed position. No boat openings will occur. On weeks that 63-hour bridge closures occur, the bridge openings to mariners will be as follows:
• Sunday – 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (on the hour)
• Monday – NO openings.
• Tuesday – NO openings.
• Wednesday – 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (on the hour)
• Thursday – 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (on the hour)
• Friday – 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (on the hour)
• Saturday – 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (on the hour)
