East Haddam Bridge Project

Current DOT Proposal
Project No. 40-141


Rehabilitation of Bridge No. 01138 (East Haddam Swing Bridge) Route 82 over Connecticut River
East Haddam/Haddam


Bridge No. 01138 is a four-span structure that has a west-east orientation and consists of a fixed deck truss in Span 1, a fixed through truss in Span 2, and a moveable through truss swing span (Spans 3 and 4). This project is a major rehabilitation of the structural, mechanical, and electrical components of the bridge.


Additionally, a sidewalk is being added to the bridge, as requested by the Towns of East Haddam and Haddam. The project scope includes Span 1 deck replacement, Span 2 deck, and floor system replacement, truss strengthening repairs on all spans, substructure modifications and patching, new bridge and approach rails that meet standards, operator house repairs, generator house roof replacement, major mechanical system upgrades, and full replacement of the electrical system (including replacement of power, control, and telephone submarine cables). A cantilevered 6’ wide fiber reinforced polymer deck sidewalk structure, that is attached to the south side of the bridge, is proposed and will connect to approach sidewalks that will extend on the west side to Little Meadow Road and on the east side to the first driveway at the Goodspeed Opera House.


63-hour road closure periods with a detour of traffic are proposed to facilitate deck and floor beam replacement in Spans 1 and 2. The signed detour route is 30 miles long and uses the Baldwin Bridge. The use of overnight road closures and signalized alternating one-way traffic patterns are proposed in order to complete other construction activities. A swing-span operation outage, where the bridge cannot open for tall marine traffic, is proposed from December 1st until April 1st to facilitate the replacement of electrical and mechanical system components. The navigation channel under Span 3 or a temporary channel in Span 4 will be open to boat traffic throughout construction. The current construction cost for the bridge rehabilitation and sidewalks is estimated to be $58.2 million. Based on the current project schedule, the design is expected to be completed in July 2021.

Construction is anticipated to start Spring 2022 and end Fall 2024.

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