First Selectman Michael J. Freda announced today that the Town of North Haven, due to a May 18, 2012 inspection conducted by the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT), closed the southbound lane of the Spring Road Bridge over the Muddy River.  This portion of the bridge (identified as Bridge No. 03961) was closed due to issues identified by the DOT's bridge inspection personnel.  

As a result of several site meetings with the DOT, the Department of Public Works on June 5, 2012, submitted a Preliminary Application with the State's Local Bridge Program and formally requested available funding for the much needed repairs.  At this time it is estimated that the amount needed to replace the bridge deck and superstructure would total approximately $665,000.  The allowable grant percentage under the State Local Bridge Project Grant is 30.98% or $206,017. “The Town will work tirelessly to locate additional grant dollars available that could be utilized towards this critical infrastructure project”, First Selectmen Freda stated.

The Office of the First Selectman and Department of Public Works carefully weighed the options to temporarily repair the superstructure and restore the bridge to two lanes until final repairs could be undertaken but associated costs were too prohibitive and the option to remain a one-lane thoroughfare seemed the most viable and cost effective option to the Town.

The estimated schedule at this time, includes the calling of a Town Meeting, hiring of a design  professional, completion of a new bridge design, local and State permitting, coordination with various utilities, advertisement for bids and award of same, and finally, construction of the necessary repairs to the decking and superstructure.  “While it is estimated that the total process could take up to July 31, 2013 to complete, the Town is committed to working closely with the State's Department of Transportation, associated regulatory agencies and local agencies in an effort to expedite the process”, Freda added.

The Department of Public Works through it's Engineering Department is committed to restoring the  single span bridge to its original condition as soon as practical and given the various stages of design, approvals, and construction, it will do all it can to expedite the repairs.  “The Department maintains an excellent working relationship with the DOT as well as associated State and local regulatory agencies and utilities; this should assist the Town with the overall process”, Director Lynn K. Sadosky stated.

Further information on the Spring Road Bridge over the Muddy River may be obtained by contacting the Department of Public Works' Engineering Department at (203) 239-5321, extension 430.