Submitted by Sara Mendillo
(April 28, 2024) — The Connecticut Department of Transportation advises the following construction activities at the Haddam/East Haddam Swing Bridge (Route 82) for the upcoming week of April 28, 2024:
63-Hour Bridge Closure
There will be a 63-hour bridge closure this week. Closure begins Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. The bridge will reopen on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
Overnight Bridge Closures
The contractor will be performing overnight bridge closures this week as follows:
- Wednesday night (5/1) into Thursday morning (5/2) – 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Thursday night (5/2) into Friday morning (5/3) – 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Friday night (5/3) into Saturday morning (5/4) – 11:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Any changes to this schedule will be communicated in a timely manner.
Swing Span Testing
The contractor may occasionally perform a test opening of the new mechanicals of the swing span throughout the week. The contractor will work to limit traffic backups, but delays should be anticipated if a test occurs.
Lane Closure
Single lane closures on Route 82 will occur Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 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
Swing Bridge openings to mariners from now through August 31, 2024 will be as follows:
- Monday through Thursday openings at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
- Friday through Sunday openings at 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
During 63-hour bridge closures, the bridge will remain in the closed position. NO OPENINGS for boats will occur.
Boaters are advised that on weeks when 63-hour bridge closures occur, Swing Bridge openings will be as follows:
- Monday through Wednesday: NO openings.
- Thursday openings at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
- Friday through Sunday openings at 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
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 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 contractor has temporarily removed a portion of the 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 three feet of additional clearance in the location where the scaffold has been temporarily removed. 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.
Text Alerts
- 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 by 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.
