Swing Bridge Update: Week of May 6, 2024

Submitted by Sara Mendillo

(May 6, 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 May 6, 2024:

63-Hour Bridge Closure
There is a 63-hour bridge closure in effect this week. The closure began on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. The bridge will reopen on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.

Overnight Bridge Closures
The contractor will be performing overnight bridge closures this week as follows:

• Wednesday night (5/8) into Thursday morning (5/9) – 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
• Thursday night (5/9) into Friday morning (5/10) – 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
• Friday night (5/10) into Saturday morning (5/11) – 11:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
• Marine AdvisoryBoaters are advised that the Swing Bridge opening schedule through Saturday, May 11, 2024 will be as follows:
  • Monday:       NO openings.
  • Tuesday:       NO openings.
  • Wednesday:  NO openings.
  • Thursday at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
  • Friday at 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday 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 contractor is still working through the testing stages of the new mechanicals on the swing span so potential delays or openings being cancelled 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 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 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 the scaffolding, there is approximately three 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.

• 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 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.