Printer Friendly Version - Déjà Vu: CT Route 146 Seawall Replacement Resumes in Branford

Work has resumed on the state's Route 146 seawall replacement project on Limewood Avenue. Shown here, temporary traffic lights go back into place on Monday, Sept. 13. The project's new completion date is May 31, 2022.Pam Johnson/The Sound

If it feels like déjà vu all over again, you're right: work has resumed on Branford's Route 146 seawall replacement project on Limewood Avenue; complete with one-way, alternating traffic and temporary traffic lights to aid safe travels — and, unfortunately, slow down area residents a bit, as they try to navigate their neighborhoods. The project is scheduled to be completed on May 31, 2022, according to the Connecticut Dept. of Transportation (DOT).

As previously reported, due to unanticipated issues causing a number of failed attempts set up coffer dams along the waterfront stretch of state road, CT DOT notified the Town in February 2021 it would temporarily halt progress on the project which had been underway since September 2020. With that news, work began to temporarily restore the area to pre-construction status. The project site was cleared out by May 2021. CT DOT announced plans to return to start the work again in September 2021, after the end of the summer season, as requested by the Town.

In a new press release issued on Sept. 3, the DOT alerted the public that project work would resume as of Sept. 9. On Monday, Sept. 13, crews were back on site, re-installing last year's temporary traffic lights to bring the two-way traffic back down to one, alternating lane.

The Route 146 seawall replacement project work site encompasses Route 146/Limewood Avenue between Sybil Avenue and Crouch Road. In addition to replacing the existing wall; it is undertaking roadway reconstruction, drainage improvement and pedestrian safety improvements, including a five-foot wide sidewalk, as part of the plan.

The state awarded the project to C.J. Fucci, Inc. (New Haven) at a cost of $5,824,577.40. The following lane closure information applies to the construction site and was provided by the CT DOT:

Route 146/Limewood Avenue: Motorists can expect alternating one way of traffic using temporary traffic signals for the duration of the project from approximately September 10, 2021 to May 1, 2022.

Wilford Road at Route 146: The southern leg of Wilford Road at Route 146 will be closed and traffic will be detoured during construction.