Two Conn. bridges open to traffic 2 weeks after being demolished and rebuilt

Updated Jun 30, 2016

Two new southbound bridges are now open on Route 8/25 in Bridgeport, ctpost.com reports. In less than two weeks, workers demolished the 44-year-old Lindley Street and Capitol Avenue bridges and in their place assembled pre-built bridge sections.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) had only designed 60 percent of the bridge prior to putting it out to bid, so the bidder helped finish the plans.

“The design-build is a contract where the DOT draws up only partial plans, and asks bidders to show us how they would accomplish what we need,’’ Scott Adkins, project manager, told the news agency. “We would choose the best value for the contract winner.’’

The bridge sections were built off the northbound Boston Ave. Exit 5 ramp and hauled to the construction site. Cranes lifted the bridge sections into place, and crews worked on connecting rebar between the sections, laying down concrete, filling and grading the approaches, and placing the asphalt. On the morning of June 24, the bridges were open to southbound drivers, one day earlier than scheduled.

The next step of the $35 million project is to reroute northbound traffic to the new southbound bridges to allow for the demolition and replacement of the northbound bridges. The total project is expected to be completed in September. The accelerated construction method will allow all four bridges to be replaced within one summer.