State governor Dannel Malloy and Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) commissioner James Redeker announced yesterday that the design for the new bridge in Norwalk is progressing on schedule.
The bridge, which which was first built in 1896, carries four tracks over the Norwalk River and opens and opens to allow the passage of marine traffic below. It failed to close properly twice in 2014, causing rail travel disruptions. Interim repairs to address the problems have now been finished, which will help ensure its reliability until its replacement is built.
The interim repairs have included modifications to the assemblies that lift the rail clear to allow the bridge to swing. The project has also involved the installation of electronic switches that prevent the various gears from over-rotating, which was the cause of the failures last year. The recent work was done in combination with a project already under way to replace rails and ties on the bridge.
The new crossing will feature twin bascule bridges. In November 2014, the State Bond Commission approved more than US$53 million for CTDOT to begin work on the replacement. The state bond money will be supplemented by a US$161 million federal grant.
