Submitted by Sara Mendillo
(October 18, 2023) — American Bridge Company has scheduled the following work activities to occur at the Haddam/East Haddam Swing Bridge through January 2024:
Bridge Work
Crews will work on:
• Work on east and west approach walls and wingwall extensions continuous.
o Daytime single lane closures to support this work.
• Work on all pier rehabilitation continuous.
• Blasting and priming of bridge continuous.
o Daytime single lane closures to support this work.
• Span 2 painting on top chords continuous.
o Daytime single lane closures to support this work, with the possibility of full bridge closures on occasion as needed.
• Removal of existing bridge rail/temporary bridge rail installation on Spans 3 and 4 continuous.
o Daytime single lane closures to support this work.
• Installation of conduit for new bridge electrical equipment, illumination, and cameras continuous.
• Installation of bridge sidewalk.
o Daytime single lane closures to support this work.
• Bathymetric Survey for Submarine Cable.
• Installation of Moon Pool (turbidity curtain).
• Installation of submarine cable.
• Rehabilitation of swing span mechanical components continuous.
• Demolition of control and sidewalk houses.
o Daytime single lane closures to support this work.
• Installation of new control house continuous. (followed by new equipment install)
o Daytime single lane closures to support this work.
Roadway Work
West Approach (Haddam)
Crews will work on:
• Construction of sidewalk retaining wall continuous.
o Daytime single lane closures to support this work.
• Bridge abutment rehabilitation continuous.
o Daytime single lane closures to support this work.
• Installation of roadway illumination, cameras, traffic signals, warning gates and associated wire continuous.
o Daytime single lane closures to support this work.
East Approach (East Haddam)
Crews will work on:
• Installation of roadway illumination, cameras, traffic signals, warning gates and associated wire continuous.
o Daytime single lane closures to support this work.
• Construction of sidewalk retaining wall continuous.
o Daytime single lane closures to support this work.
Be advised that while the contractor’s goal is to complete these construction activities on or ahead of schedule, many times unforeseen circumstances have the potential to impact their targeted dates for completion.
Single Lane Bridge
Beginning on December 1, 2023, and continuing until March 31, 2024, the bridge will continuously operate as a single lane bridge. Temporary traffic signals will control the flow of
alternating traffic to cross the river. Slight delays at the bridge should be anticipated.
Overnight Closures
If the contractor needs an overnight closure to perform work, the permissible hours will vary depending on the day of the week. (Be advised that the hours listed for Sunday through Tuesday would pertain only if a 63-hour closure was not occurring).
Overnight Closure Hours will adhere to the following schedule:
• Sunday Evening into Monday Morning 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
• Monday Evening into Tuesday Morning 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
• Tuesday Evening into Wednesday Morning 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
• Wednesday Evening into Thursday Morning 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
• Thursday Evening into Friday Morning 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
• Friday Evening into Saturday Morning 11:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
• Saturday Evening into Sunday Morning 11:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
63-Hour Bridge Closures
Continuation of 63-hour bridge closures through mid-November as follows:
• 10/22-10/25
• 11/5-11/8
• 11/12-11/15
Closures will run from Sunday 8:00 p.m. until Wednesday no later than 11:00 a.m.
Maritime Advisory
The bridge will continue with the current schedule of openings to tall vessels through November 2023 as follows:
• Monday through Thursday at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.
• Friday through Sunday at 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.
Be advised that on days with high winds, there may be times when the swing span cannot safely open to boaters; when wind gusts are 35 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. Boaters are advised that the swing span is still in a state of disrepair; if, during an opening,
something occurs that could potentially put the bridge at risk, all future openings will be cancelled until further notice.
NOTE: Effective December 1, 2023, the swing span will no longer open to marine traffic. Openings will resume on April 1, 2024.
