Thomas Breen photo
The 18-month shutdown and repair of the Grand Avenue Bridge is still on schedule to begin mid-April, according to the latest update from the city’s structural engineer.
On Tuesday afternoon, City Structural Engineer Zach Shapiro sent out a public email update announcing that the city and its construction contractor are “maintaining our initial construction schedule” for repairs to the century-plus-old bridge.
“This week the contractor will complete field measurements of the structural steel from the roadway on the deck, as well as additional measurements below deck,” he wrote.
“Tomorrow morning the barge should arrive onsite with materials to begin pile driving work. All pile driving operations will be within the bridge’s fender system, and have a “slow start” meaning they will gradually increase the power as they drive the piles. Pile driving is expected to begin this Thursday and will last approximately two weeks. Pile driving operations will not begin before 8:00 AM each morning.
“The bridge will be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic once pile driving has concluded but not before the approved date of April 13th.”
The contractor will then place barricades and fencing at the bridge approaches and will uncover detour signage once the bridge is finally closed to traffic.
He said that “CT Transit’s alternate bus route during the bridge closure will utilize Clinton to Route 80, to Walmart, with a shuttle running between Walmart, East Grand and Bella Vista. Additional information can be found at cttransit.com/alerts.
“Marine users should be aware the barge will be sitting adjacent to the fender during driving – marine access to pass the bridge will be maintained throughout the operations however until each pile is completely driven the bridge will only partially rotate to allow approximately a 30’ wide opening.”
