Fairfield Begins Rooster River Flood Mitigation Projects

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield is beginning work on the first two phases of an $8.2 million flood mitigation effort along the Rooster River, with projects at Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course and Tunxis Hill Park.

Grasso Construction began work on Monday on a detention basin at Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course. The project is being completed in coordination with Bridgeport, which is providing financial support.

Additional funding comes from Urban Act and Clean Water Act grants and Fairfield bonding.

Under the current construction schedule, the detention basins are expected to be substantially complete and provide some flood mitigation by the end of the year, with final completion anticipated in spring 2027. The schedule is weather-dependent, and cold weather could affect the timeline.

Surveyors also are beginning construction staking for a second detention basin at Tunxis Hill Park.

Grasso Construction had been awarded the bid for the Tunxis Hill Park project but has requested to withdraw its bid. The Fairfield Board of Selectpersons is scheduled to hold a special meeting on Thursday, Oct. 1, to consider awarding the project to the next-highest bidder, Priority Construction.

The two detention basins are part of Fairfield's broader flood mitigation plans for the Rooster River watershed.

The town retained SLR Consulting to design and engineer both projects. Multi-stage weirs, or control structures, will be built within the river's boundaries to hold back stormwater runoff and release it downstream at a slower rate.

"Mitigating flooding along the Rooster River has been priority for Fairfield," First Selectperson Christine Vitale said in a statement. "After years of planning and permitting, it is exciting to see that construction crews are in place and the work is beginning."

Vitale also cited recent severe weather and flooding in neighborhoods along the river.

"As we continue to see more unpredictable weather and intense rain events we need to be proactive in planning for the future," Vitale said. "I spent a lot of time in those neighborhoods that were most severely impacted by the September 13 storm. I understand the frustration and anxiety of our residents and hope that seeing that work is beginning will provide some comfort that plans are now being put into action."

A third phase of the town's flood resiliency plans calls for removing sediment from the Rooster River. Preliminary testing and survey work for dredging have been completed, with final design and permitting to follow.

The town will need easements from property owners along the river to proceed. The Rooster River is not owned by the Town of Fairfield, and the project involves private property as well as property belonging to the City of Bridgeport and the state of Connecticut.

Work on the third phase is expected to take place over the next two years. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must review the plans and issue permits before work can begin.

The town said the projects are intended to reduce flood risk at multiple points throughout the Rooster River watershed.