Latest news with #CTDOT
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
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.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's ‘Get America Building Again' plan is coming to CT. Here's how
Trying to build projects faster, the federal transportation department is joining with its counterparts in Connecticut on an agreement to cut red tape and speed up environmental permits. President Donald Trump's department announced Thursday that it had reached a 'first-of-its-kind programmatic agreement' that will cover an estimated 90 construction projects each year. The agreement is designed to speed up schedules by at least six weeks for major projects such as the Gold Star Memorial Bridge on Interstate 95 between New London and Groton, upgrades on the New Haven line of the Metro-North Commuter Railroad, and a new bus system in New Haven. The Trump administration says the plan will 'Get America Building Again' by helping states to complete projects faster. U.S. Deputy Transportation Secretary Steven G. Bradbury says the agreement will allow the state to 'accelerate the review of individual transportation projects that may affect historic properties' on the national list. 'This first-of-its kind agreement is a great example of the commonsense approach we are taking at USDOT to remove unnecessary burdens, empower states, and deliver a safe and efficient world class transportation system that Americans deserve,' Bradbury said in a statement. 'We hope more states are interested in entering this more efficient agreement to streamline the regulatory process.' Connecticut transportation commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said that money will be saved in the process. 'This agreement is the result of productive collaborations between CTDOT and our federal and state partners, and we deeply appreciate the support from the U.S. Department of Transportation in making it a reality,' he said. 'By streamlining environmental reviews and cutting government red tape, we can more efficiently advance projects and ultimately reduce costs.' Since transportation projects are particularly known for red tape, multiple agencies are involved in the agreement that stretches for more than 30 pages. Those include the Federal Highway Railroad Administration, Federal Highway Administration, and Federal Transit Administration and Federal Railroad Administration – plus the Connecticut transportation department, Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. 'We've slashed costly red tape and prevented unending environmental reviews to build the big, beautiful infrastructure projects that will propel America forward for generations,' U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said in a statement. Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Connecticut celebrating National Bike Month
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is celebrating National Bike Month this May by encouraging residents to go for a ride. CTDOT is participating in National Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, May 7. CTDOT is also participating in Bike to Work Week from May 11 to 17, with various activities planned. Connecticut wants you to drive less. Here's why State leaders said many communities participating in the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program have shown improved safety and accessibility for all students since its inception in 2005. A few updates from the SRTS team include: Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day incentives that registered schools can request online. SRTS expanded their bike and pedestrian safety and skills trainings to include an on-bike component. Communities and schools can request these services online. An interactive online map highlights all SRTS activities across the state Those riding bikes are also encouraged to participate in the 2025 Drive Less Connecticut Challenge through May 31. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Paving project in Enfield, East Windsor on I-91 to cause traffic delays
ENFIELD, Conn. (WWLP) – The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is set to begin a paving preservation project on Monday. Four dead, one injured after multi-vehicle crash in Connecticut The CTDOT announced that a $30,674,887 paving preservation project will be taking place on I-91 from Exit 45-49 in East Windsor and Enfield. The paving project is set to begin on Monday and will last until April 2027. During the project, milling, pavement repairs, joint and crack filling, placement of new pavement, and pavement markings will take place. Workers will have a lane closed on both the north and southbound sides of I-91 until 6:00 a.m. and then from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Lanes will also be closed from Exit 45-49 nightly Sundays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Drivers should be aware that modifications and extensions to the schedule may occur due to weather and other unforeseen conditions. Signage will be in place, as well as local police and flaggers to help guide drivers through the work zone. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
West Hartford raising awareness for pedestrian and road safety
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — The West Hartford Senior Citizens Advisory Commission is hosting a panel Tuesday on pedestrian and road safety. CTDOT announces campaign to keep roads safe from distracted driving The panel consists of experts in traffic, cycling and walking safety and engineering, sharing their knowledge in a group setting and offering suggestions to keep people safe in a crosswalk. 'There's a ton of people starting to come back out on the road since COVID,' West Hartford Police Officer Jack Sanford said. 'We're noticing an uptick in more aggressive driving, more distracted driving.' They're encouraging drivers to sign the vision zero pledge, which ask them to follow rules, such as no speeding. In 2024, more than 100 vision zero programs were established to keep pedestrians safe. West Hartford town engineers say that 2025 will be no different. Watch the full video in the player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
