Work Begins on Rail Bridge Replacements in Old Greenwich

The State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (CT DOT) has begun work on a $14.8 million project to replace two Metro-North Railroad bridges in Old Greenwich.

The Sound Beach Avenue bridge and the bridge over Tomac Avenue near the Innis Arden Golf Club. In addition to the bridge construction, CT DOT will make improvements to the railroad station and the south commuter parking lot on the Stamford-bound side of the lot. The project is a joint effort between the CT DOT and Metro North which will take four years to complete.

The first phase of the project consists of Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) relocating the existing overhead power line in the upper and lower portions of the South Commuter Parking Lot. In the coming weeks, CL&P will also be installing new wooden utility poles and underground electrical service in the lower parking lot. As a result of this work, parking spaces at various locations at the Old Greenwich Railroad Station will be inaccessible. Please be cognizant of any construction signs, cones and notices posted at the site.

The Project is comprised of four different sites:

• Site 1 - Rehabilitation of Bridge No. 03948R over Sound Beach Avenue – The existing bridge superstructure will be demolished and a new bridge constructed in its place. The new bridge will result in the elimination of the concrete/steel pier from the center of Sound Beach Avenue. The southbound left-turning lane into the south parking lot will be lengthened, and the existing sidewalks will be replaced with new 6’ wide sidewalks. The existing wooden stairways that allow access to the platforms from Sound Beach Avenue will also be replaced with new concrete stairways.
• Site 2 - Rehabilitation of Bridge No. 03955R over Tomac Avenue – The existing bridge superstructure will be demolished and a new bridge constructed in its place. Tomac Avenue will be restriped and a new 4’ sidewalk will be constructed under the west side of the bridge.
• Site 3 - Railroad Station Improvements – The station platforms will be extended from the existing 6-car length to accommodate 10-car passenger loading. Upgrades to the platforms include new energy-efficient lighting, three enclosed shelters, twenty-seven 4-person benches, six trash/recycling receptacles, and new concrete staircases and railings.
• Site 4 - South Commuter Parking Lot – The upper and lower parking lots will be expanded from the existing 99 spaces to 220 spaces. Work includes the construction of an architecturally-aesthetic retaining wall, installation of new energy-efficient lighting and eco-friendly drainage, repaving of both the upper and lower parking lots, and establishment of new landscaping plants and shrubs.

The Notice to Proceed (NTP) was issued on Aug. 13, 2014, to Manafort Brothers, Inc. at a cost of $14,875,329.00 and is scheduled for completion in July 2017. Project management and inspection will be performed by Gannett Fleming, Inc.

Project construction activities are anticipated to begin in February 2015.

The start of the project has been delayed due to conflicts with existing utilities on the site. The affected utilities began relocating their facilities in early December and should complete their work by late January.

For more information, please visit the Old Greenwich RR Station Upgrades and Bridge Replacement site at http://oldgreenwichrrstationbridgerehab.com/.