Construction of the East Haddam swing bridge, which carries Route 82 over the Connecticut River, began in fall 2022 and work is continuing on the project with a completion date of Feb. 25, 2025, according to CTDOT.
Photo courtesy of CTDOT
The American Bridge Co., headquartered in Coraopolis, Pa., is the lead contractor on the project, which was awarded to the company on June 7, 2022.
The East Haddam swing bridge is a four-span structure with a fixed deck truss in Span 1, a fixed through truss in Span 2 and a moveable through truss in Spans 3 and 4, according to CTDOT.
"An emergency declaration was performed on the bridge in 2016 to address the failing electrical and mechanical systems," according to CTDOT. "The project involves a major rehabilitation of the structural, mechanical and electrical components of the bridge. There will be stringer replacement in Span 1, floor system replacement in Span 2, deck replacement and truss strengthening repairs on all spans, major mechanical system upgrades and full replacement of the electrical system, including replacement of power, control and operator house telecommunication submarine cables. Additionally, a cantilevered sidewalk is being added to the south side of the bridge and approach sidewalks constructed, as requested by the towns of East Haddam and Haddam."
CTDOT discovered an underground tank supplying fuel for the failed backup generator, so the project will incorporate the replacement of the underground storage tank and generator to meet the requirements for release detection in all underground storage tanks.
In addition to incorporating the replacement of the tank and generator, the project will include grid deck replacements in Spans 3 and 4 and modifications to the cantilever sidewalk rail height.
"The American Bridge Company has installed the soldier pile wall to support the new sidewalk on the approaches," said Kevin LaRose, CTDOT's transportation supervising engineer. "Additionally, the contractor has replaced stringers in Span 1, floor system replacement in Span 2, deck replacement and truss strengthening repairs in Spans 1 and 2, substructure modifications and installation of the submarine cable. The majority of the bridge has been blasted and painted.
Photo courtesy of CTDOT
"American Bridge Company is [currently] replacing the electrical system as well as a majority of the mechanical system," he added. "The contractor has been addressing some unforeseen substructure repairs and renovating the control house as well as replacing an underground tank that was discovered during construction."
Construction equipment being used on the job includes a Liebherr LTM1095 mobile crane, a Tadano GR-150 rough-terrain crane, a Caterpillar M322 wheeled excavator and a Caterpillar 308 mini-excavator.
The budget for the project is $78,440,000, which includes the construction and design. The funding sources are federal, state and municipalities. CEG
