AASHTO Journal - CTDOT Reopens Fairfield Avenue Bridge Early

The Connecticut Department of Transportation recently opened the new Fairfield Avenue Bridge over I-95 in Norwalk ahead of schedule; a bridge that had to be demolished and replaced following a fiery motor vehicle collision in May.

[Above photo by CTDOT]

The new bridge, spanning approximately 170 feet in length over I-95, maintains sidewalks on both sides and reduces the width of the vehicle travel lanes to better accommodate bicyclists.

The agency said the new structure took just seven months to build thanks to the efforts of CTDOT personnel, Yonkers Contracting Company, several other state agencies, and a team of dedicated subcontractors from across state – well ahead of its original spring 2025 completion date.

In addition to the early completion, the total cost of the project totaled $16.8 million, well below the initial $20 million price tag for the removal of the old structure and construction of the new bridge.

“Today marks a significant milestone for the Norwalk community and the hundreds of thousands of people who rely on this critical highway,” said Governor Ned Lamont (D) in a statement.

“This is a great example of what can be accomplished when government, contractors, and local leaders work together with a sense of urgency and purpose,” he added. “Thanks to [this] extraordinary effort … we’ve been able to reopen the Fairfield Avenue Bridge ahead of schedule, under budget, and with a more modern design that will better serve the community for years to come.”

“Every partner on this project over-performed the ambitious deadlines we set in May,” noted CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “This is a remarkable achievement and demonstrates what we can get done for the traveling public when federal, state, and local partners share a common purpose.”

In a situation strikingly similar to one that occurred in Pennsylvania in June 2023, a tanker truck crash and fire seriously damaged the highway pavement and an overpass on I-95 near Exit 15 in Norwalk on May 2.

The incident forced the Connecticut DOT to close I-95 in both directions, with Gov. Lamont subsequently establishing a state of emergency due to the travel impacts of that closure.

However, by May 5, Connecticut DOT crews and contractors had completely demolished the Fairfield Avenue Bridge overpass spanning I-95; removed tons of concrete, steel, and debris from the roadway; then milled and repaved the roadway, adding pavement markings as well.

Concurrently, the Federal Highway Administration made $3 million in “quick release” emergency relief funds available to CTDOT at the time following a request from the governor to help offset the costs to remove debris and reconstruct the Fairfield Avenue Bridge over I-95. 