Load limit put in place for CT bridge by DOT. Here is why and where.
The Commodore Hull Bridge, which carries Route 8 over the Housatonic River between Shelton and Derby, will now have a posted load restriction of a 32 tons load for all vehicles using the span, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
The bridge remains safe to use, according to DOT.
The DOT said an emergency declaration has been signed for the bridge.
A DOT spokesman said this declaration took place as, 'during a special inspection of the Commodore Hull Bridge in preparation for a future project, further deterioration on the gusset plates was noticed.
'These plates connect the truss members together to support the weight of the overall bridge structure and traffic load on the bridge. Due to the additional deterioration found, starting the week of June 2, CTDOT will begin milling off the bituminous wearing surface, posting a 32-ton weight restriction for all vehicles, and implementing lane shifts to keep traffic away from these areas,' the spokesperson said.
'The Emergency Declaration signed allows CTDOT and its contracting partners to move forward with permanent repairs more quickly,' the spokesperson said. 'The bridge remains safe for the traveling public. We urge motorists to slow down, move over, and use caution when traveling through this area to keep themselves and workers safe.'
Construction will begin on Monday in the area. On Route 8 northbound, Howe Avenue and Kneen Street on-ramps may be closed to traffic and mainline traffic will be maintained for two lanes across the bridge in a lane shift configuration, according to DOT.
During a 2022 DOT public meeting on the bridge, officials also said it is safe to use.
Every two years the bridge undergoes a hands-on inspection of the superstructure and substructure and is given a rating, DOT officials said, according to records about the project and the meeting.
'The rating scale from best to worst condition goes: Good, Satisfactory, Fair, Poor, Serious, and Critical. This bridge is rated as Satisfactory. The bridge also undergoes an underwater inspection every two years,' the 2022 records say. 'The underwater inspection reports show a history of scouring, but today it is still far from the critical scour depth. The purpose of this project is to add scour countermeasures around the piers as a preventative measure to prevent the riverbed from scouring further during future major storm events.'
The records show that meeting was held on the rehabilitation of (Bridge No. 00571A) the Commodore Hull Bridge, noting 'specifically, the project' for 'installing scour countermeasures at Piers 9 and 10 within the Housatonic River.' It was not clear if the work to be done now on the bridge is part of Project 0126-0176, or a separately named project. Scour is erosion of streambed or bank material due to flowing water, a DOT official said during that meeting.
That project was said to be funded with 80% federal funds and 20% state funds, with no municipal funding.
The bridge was constructed in 1951 and widened in 1990, according to DOT.
For the new work, on Route 8 southbound, two-lane traffic will remain in the area across the bridge. The off-ramp to Wharf Street will remain open. Work will be performed between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., according to DOT.
CT road work projects getting underway in coming days. Here's what to know.
In separate other upcoming work, milling and resurfacing will begin on Route 816 in Newtown on June 9 with a scheduled completion of the project on June 26.
The CTDOT said the project, being performed by state workers, will be done in Newtown, Shelton and Derby 0.20 miles east of Washington Street to the Southbury Town Line.
Delays and one-lane traffic alternating traffic are said to be expected. The project will have the time frame of 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Weather or unforeseen conditions may modify the schedule. The CTDOT asks that motorist maintain a safe speed in the area.
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