This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
09/14/2021 12:00 AMAfter completing initial project work earlier this summer, the state's replacement of the Sybil Creek Bridge on Route 146 will get into gear, with construction activity scheduled to start up this month at the Indian Neck site until its scheduled completion date of Dec. 27, 2021.
The short span of bridge is a busy connector to town for area shoreline residents. It also connects area visitors to a popular section of Indian Neck's burgeoning entertainment area. Two restaurants are on the Route 146/Sybil Avenue side (Guacamole's Mexican Cuisine and Friki Tiki) and three on the Route 146/South Montowese Street side (Lenny's Indian Head Inn, The Stand, Indian Neck Pizza). Other businesses are also located in the area, as well as Indian Neck/Pine Orchard Vol. Fire Co. 9 (Linden Ave). CT DOT first notified the Town of Branford, area businesses and residents of plans to replace the bridge in 2016.
This month's start of bridge construction work coincides with re-start of construction work on a separate state DOT project nearby, to replace the Route 146/Limewood Avenue seawall. That project had first started in Sept. 2020 but had to be halted in Feb. 2021, due to unanticipated issues causing a number of failed attempts set up coffer dams along the waterfront. While the site was restored to its two-lane traffic configuration for the summer (May 31- August 31), as of this week, traffic is now back down to one alternating lane on Route 146 between Sybil and Crouch Roads (see related story). The seawall replacement project is scheduled for a May 31, 2021 completion.
The state project to replace the Sybil Creek Bridge will involve widening the bridge to double its size and add sidewalks. The construction work will cause periods of one-lane traffic between Sept. 1 to Dec. 27; with work taking place between 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. - 6 a.m., according to a press release from CT DOT issued in April 2021. At that time, the DOT had also announced some one-lane project traffic could be expected between April – June 2021, while construction activity would not begin until Sept. 1, 2021. Zip06/The Sound is awaiting a response to a request for updated information, which will be shared when received.
Most notably, the press release states a 15-day bridge Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) bridge closure will be implemented "in the fall," during span replacement. Advance notification of closure dates will be posted on changeable roadway signs on the approach to the project area and detour information will also be posted. The bridge is approachable from South Montowese Street on one side and from Route 146 immediately after the convergence of Sybil Avene with Linden Avenue.
In Sept. 2020, the project was awarded to C.J. Fucci Construction (New Haven) at a cost of $1,534,958.90.